resonators

so - to pass inspection (noise level issue) I was forced to buy resonators for my exhaust last year - - I am in the process of redoing the exhaust and am wondering if there would be any significant difference between building it -A) headers, mufflers, resonators or B) headers, resonators, mufflers.. I am thinking performance wise it probably won't make too much difference (would it?) but sound levels would be higher with the resonators first... yes/no?