But you have driven an AX15 with a tall rear gear, which I for one have not. So you are far better equipped to actually speak to how it drives regardless of what you compare it to.
Frankly, every trans has compromises. For example, a narrow ratio trans needs a deeper rear gear to make up for the tall 1st gear, and usually doesn't have enough of an OD gear to make up for it. Or it has a "huge rpm drop" into OD. Or the rear gear isn't as deep and 1st overall is compromised, but OD is better. Never a perfect solution, always a compromise.