1.) Go with the Axiom sub if you've got the coin to do so - It will make you happy. It'll match the cherry veneer of your mains, and provide you with enough powerful bass to keep them babies up all night...

2.) Considering the size of your room - the VP 100 should sound as good as you'd want. The VP150 is a huge speaker. I considered going with it, but it would have spanned the entire length of the top of my 17" TV. Consider this if your set isn't so big. While 65% or more of the home theater sound information is coming from that center speaker, if you're not entertaining more than 3-4 people for movie watching and you're not trying to replicate movie-reference volumes, the VP100 should be fine.

3.) Haven't gotten my factory outlet speakers yet...will post pictures when they arrive (expecting them any day now)...

Good luck with your choices - and welcome to the family.