The leaning problem sounds like a problem with the stand. I don't think mine do this.
I was able to fill the tube of my SS16's with lead shot which added much stability. I am a bit annoyed by the square platform, but I will live with it.
If I had it to do all over again, I might have chosen a different set of stands, but they match the AVS3 and AV5 very well.
I don't think it would be a problem to ship your stands back Axiom, if you kept the boxes.