Craig, are the Axioms toed in? The difference you are hearing with the Axioms compared to the Legacys is likely due to a sacrifice in the direct response for the sake of improved linearity in reflected response.

I noticed what you described with my M80v2. I had them toed in for a few months and they sounded like the "studio" experience you described. The more I toed them in, the more "studio-like" they sounded. When I eliminated the toe-in, I sacrificed some clarity for what I considered to be a better experience.

House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated