For better or worse, I think the cage match is valid and useful, since the AX (for most in 175) tends to be the popular wisdom baseline ski for this width ski segment, in spite of great differences between the two skis. The Augment 77, to me, feels like a race-derived all mountain precision ski, with its race roots obvious. It has shed the need for smooth, even slopes (no bone jarring, for instance), with a better-for-all mountain suspension, and relaxed things a bit; but to me feels still too limited, too race-derived somehow, maybe; and not as yet quite versatile enough for its new uses. Not sure, here - I'd have to experiment more with a pair; but I sure am rooting for Augment.
The AX in the shorter 175, on the other hand, is dialed in for what it does, and for most a hoot; it has this huge, easy "pop" turn to it that almost eliminates the need to flex or work the ski (and yet is a bit out of sync with actually flexing the carve, to me; there was a great description from the ski rep, @LindseyB, in another thread, that to me was spot on about this extra 175 rebound, as compared to the AR, a ski whose rebound matches its carve, and fits working the flex and/or edge-riding. I've not skied shorter AXes to see if they are similar to the 175, but the longer AX 182/183 is very different in this regard, a more dialed in carve with more character to it - but less versatility, for many.
(Note: I have to admit that I own and love the 182/183, as the baseline ski here for me, even if I'm not going to attack big bump fields with it any time soon.)
The AX in the shorter 175, on the other hand, is dialed in for what it does, and for most a hoot; it has this huge, easy "pop" turn to it that almost eliminates the need to flex or work the ski (and yet is a bit out of sync with actually flexing the carve, to me; there was a great description from the ski rep, @LindseyB, in another thread, that to me was spot on about this extra 175 rebound, as compared to the AR, a ski whose rebound matches its carve, and fits working the flex and/or edge-riding. I've not skied shorter AXes to see if they are similar to the 175, but the longer AX 182/183 is very different in this regard, a more dialed in carve with more character to it - but less versatility, for many.
(Note: I have to admit that I own and love the 182/183, as the baseline ski here for me, even if I'm not going to attack big bump fields with it any time soon.)