I have NEVER heard this lobing issue we all hear so much about from horizontal centers. My VP100, 150 and the 180 I borrowed for a week all had the same sound on and off axis. However at my off axis positions the sound was not as loud, usually reading a couple DB lower on the 'ol RS meter. The VP160 does not exhibit this SPL reduction in my room at my farthest off axis position.
Same experience here Jason with my VP150. I haven't measured the SPL of the 180 at my center position versus off axis but all dialogue is easily heard even from my far right loveseat with the VP180.
