Seeing how you are already thinking you need / want "bigger" and there is something available that is "bigger", you should probably just get the VP180 and be done with it. I believe what you are going through is somewhat of a psychological conundrum, and nothing anyone can tell you about this choice will help you make up your mind. Your mind is already made up (wanting bigger), and now you are now just looking for confirmation to support your decision.
What do you think JP?
I have the 160, have not heard the 180. I bought the 160 because I am limited in space. I just didn't have the room for a 180. Both width and depth. - Keep in mind that the 160 is ported to the front, so you can place it right up tight to the rear wall. The 180 on the other hand is ported to the rear and you will need at least 12" of free space behind it.
Good luck....
Interesting psycho-analysis... but I've already heard of reasons why the VP-160 is preferable to the VP-180, or is almost as good as the VP-180. What I'm looking for are things that VP-180 clearly does better in terms of subjective opinion. I have heard time and again that the VP-160 has better off-axis response, and it is obviously cheaper and smaller. I'm trying to get both sides of the picture so my decision is a good one. In other words, I've already tried to talk myself of the VP-160 and now I'm trying to talk myself into the VP-180. At the end of the day, I can compare the 2 and decide which to go with. Make sense?
