I too was looking at the Axioms and the Aperions when I was putting my HT together. A friend of mine had the Axioms (I believe it was the Epic Master w/bookshelves all around and 12" sub) and I spent a fair amount of time over his house listening to them . I liked them so much that I was just about ready to order when I figured I'd give the Aperions an audition. I got 522's, with a VAC and a 12" sub. Granted, it was 2 very different listening environments, but I thought they were very similar in sound (great) and both were a tremendous value. Although sound was the top priority, the 2 factors that tipped the scales in the Aperions favor was the beautiful black laquer finish (very high WAF) and the superb customer service.
Its been several years now, and although my ears are not what they used to be, I'm still wow'd at how great the Aperions and Outlaw sound.