Totem vs. Axiom $ per $

If bang for buck is primary, resale should be considered as well. For the most part, the direct products have much lower residual value and demand. Consumer confidence is way higher with a distributed product. Go Totem.

When considering bang-for-the-buck don't forget the bang .

You don't mention the intended use here but , if you want speakers for music I don't think that Axiom is a consideration . While they are cheap and sound good for H/T , I use their center and surrounds , I don't think that their excessive highs would put them in contention for 2 channel music use . I offer these comments after owning the above plus the M60 floorstanders as the front L/R speakers . The factory does offer , upon request , 3 resisters of differing values to swap out for the tweeters . They are plugin connections , not soldered ! They detune or rolloff the highs . YMMV .

Good luck .

Intended use is starting a new home theatre with M80's (?)up front. This will be my 3rd system set-up in the house, and the 2nd home theatre, this one in the basement. Thanks