Yes CS, welcome. Can't offer any personal info on a direct Axiom/ B&W 601 comparison, but there's been some brief discussion here, and as Randy mentioned, you might do a search.
However, I will throw out some thoughts on a setup that'll fit your budget and I suspect give you better sound. Across the front use M60s plus a vertical M2 center, which would run just above or below $1,000, depending on whether you use factory outlet. Move 601s to side surrounds and LCR60 to center back surround. Position LCR60 vertically; as you might note, B&W specs show that it has better horizontal dispersion in that orientation, as is typical with MTM designs.
