Sorry; I got so caught up I forgot to answer your question. Everything I've read on the forum points to using either the VP100 or VP150 as your center; that's what they were designed for. Further, laying a bookshelf on it's side is discouraged; that's NOT what it was designed for.

I don't know if you live near someone who can give you an audition of the VP100, but trust me, it is a very nice speaker and you won't be disappointed with it.