I saw them listed at Crutchfield ($899), thats what I based my "twice the price" off of.

Like I said, I said I have listened to speakers that sounded better, and would even prefer a set different from the axioms in the same price range. So I am kind of confused as where you get "owners just live with the shortcomings so as not to dwell on the fact that the speakers are just not that good." People enjoy a great deal at $400, but are not fooled that this the end all be all of speakers.