I have not compared Ascend to Axiom personally, but I can say that Axiom speakers are definitely NOT bright. However, they are definitely accurate. If the recording is well mastered, they will sound marvelous, but if the recording is a bad one (such as much of today's pop that boost ~2-7 kHz to make the music sound more "present"), it will sound bright. I have a pair of M60s (and I used to own three M2is which I used in conjunction with a sub), and I can truly say that with a good recording, the speakers are incredible.
I typically ignore audioreview (as the people who post there have no credentials). I generally stick to professional reviews. Look at how much the M22's have been praised:
SoundStage! (Probably one of the most respected reviews out for the M22)
Audioholics
Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
Audio Video Revolution
On Home Theater
Byte Sector
The M22's and various other Axiom models have received many awards such as this one:
(SoundStage Reviewer's Choice honoring the M22ti Se.)
