I have the stock vinyl on all of my Axioms. If I had to do it all over again, I'd cough up the extra bucks to get one of the premium finishes. That Piano finish in particular is gorgeous.
There's nothing wrong with the stock vinyl. It's fine. My 5-year old Axioms still look as new as they did the day I got them. But it's absolutely nothing special. It is what it is. Those premium finishes though, my-oh-my, they bring the look of the speakers up to the level of the sound. If you're considering it, I'd say go for it. In a year, you won't care that you spend a couple of extra bucks to get it, but you'll still be enjoying that beautiful finish.
