Craig can't just go out and buy any set of speakers he feels like comparing. It's also more fun to compare with others, especially those of differing opinions, to see what the other person likes and to both get to hear the speakers and make the comparisons. Craig would likely compare both and not like the Polks as much...but then what does that prove...not much. I've compared the Axiom's with someone that owns the Ascends and we both concluded that they are both good speakers with some difference in sounds...our preference for which one tended to depend on what we were listening to. There should be a thread in hear about it from a while back if you are interested.