I think the choice comes down to your taste in music. The Original VR3's are killer for electronic, rock and Mahler-like music, the 3.5's are more refined and take well to light jazz and mild classical orchestrations, from what I remember. Even though the 3.5's where intended for a HT setup, the VR3's move a ton more air, to me making them more ideal for movies if you don't use a sub, and personally I like the tweeter in the older VR3's/VR4's better then the one in the 3.5's, which sounds too soft, overly lush and laid-back to me, though some like it that way. I do like the midrange driver in both models but the new aerogel is a better piece, especially as implemented in the VR4genIIISE's, which are amazing. Either way you go I'm sure you'll be happy. However, if you choose the VR3's you can give them the Mod5 upgrade for $1500, which will put there performance at a whole new level, which I think is a great option....