Mojo, I'm just running with your speculation ... It makes some sense depending on how intertwined Axiom and Bryston want to get. The best way to keep the brands separate is to not merge anything ...

As far as Bryston being higher quality ... that's an important part of the equation ...
It needs to exude quality, have better specs ... it needs to be perceived and compete in a market that Axiom does not. What does not matter as much is if it actually sounds better ... ahhh IMHO.