The Ascend 170 charts show it has a very flat frequency response for the money, slightly better than the Axiom M22s.
The graph on the Ascend site notes they are quasi-anechoic frequency response. What the heck is that?
When you click the link on the left for more response graphs it takes you to a graph from Soundstage from 2003 which was done at the NRC(like Axioms graphs) and that graph shows the M22 to be slightly better - less peaks and valleys, but like you said some will like the M22 others will like the 170.