[SteveCallas]

I have VR3s for mains with a VR1 as a center and a pair of VR1s as side surrounds. If you are able to locate some VR3s, and you REALLY need another opinion and can't audition for yourself, I guess I could do some listening, though your opinion is what counts, not mine. I can tell you right of the bat that with a dedicated midrange driver, two 7" woofers, a larger cabinet, and a taller enclosure (putting the tweeter closer to ear height), the VR3s have all the advantages on paper.

If you do get VR3s, keep a VR1 for use as a center, it'll do much better than any horizontal channel. Also, I would save the money you are thinking of spending on the surrounds upgrade and put it towards the mains or a subwoofer. Upgrading surrounds from a small bookshelf speakers to the VRX shouldn't really accomplish anything.