I have not heard Axiom but I have heard a few pair of Vande's. Enough to know they are not for me. They were tolerable on classical but on other music I found them to be muddy on the bass and highs dull. Vifa did make their midrange drivers which were pretty good sounding but did color the music. They have a very distinct sound quality and I highly recommend a close listen before buying them. Apparently some one must like Vandersteens but I thought they were horrible. Their sound is like listening to a speaker with a quilt draped in front of it. I have listened to a few different models and they all have the same characteristics I described.