The magnetic grills on the v3's are neat as beans, that alone would steer me towards the newer version. At first I didn't know if I would like the look of the all silver drivers of the v3 either but after seeing the speaker up close and personal I really like that look, it makes for a clean layout.
Personally, I must admit that although my A/V room is filled with Axiom speakers including a pair of M80s in the High Gloss Piano Black finish, I have never really been a fan of the white/silver drivers. With the new magnetic grills that now eliminate the need for the holes in the cabinet which gives them that cleaner look, to me black drivers would have been more suitable especially if one desires to leave the grill covers off. Perhaps I am picking too many "nits" here but between the VP180 and the two M80s across the front, when looking at them when the grills are off, for me anyway, all those silver drivers are just a little bit too distracting even in the dark.
