As far as the totally unscientific A/B went, even with the slightly higher dB on the Axiom (with neither system being in any way stretched, probably only pumping out 1 or 2 watts) I could not detect any difference in sound quality between the two. I could not hear anything lacking from either source, except, maybe, Jay's "sparkling highs".

M80s/VP160/QS8s/EP350; M22s; M3s.