It's essentially impossible to evaluate speakers based on specs. Both Axiom and HDTaudio have 30-day evaluation periods. Order both, try them simultaneously, and return the loser.

The HDT towers will probably have better base, since their woofer/midrange is larger. However I'd suggest a subwoofer with whichever one you get, so that neutralizes the HDT bass advantage. Axiom makes the EP125 and Hsu has the STF-1 for $299.