Show conditions usually make getting sufficient bass out of a system a real challenge. In the case of the ESP Concert Grand speakers ($40,000/pr), driven by Wavestream Kinetics V-8 tube amplification (300 watt monoblocks, as shown, $35,000, 150 watt stereo model, $20,000), the opposite appeared to be true. Even with the speakers about eight feet out from the wall behind them and a bevy of sound absorbing panels (they looked like widescreen Magneplaner panels, an irony not lost on me) the ESP were definitely coming on strong in the bass though they were in no way muddled.

Barely a few years old, Lipinski Sound makes great speakers. Now with a 600 watt bridged amp built into the stand, you'll only need to run interconnects out to them if you choose. If the stands seem highish, it's because that puts the tweeters at ear level. The five L707 speakers setup and playing SACDs to incredible effect are priced at $4,590/pr. The powered stand (yeah, it sounds funny saying that) are $2595 each. Not inexpensive, but the sound – a Mozart concerto – was ethereal, deep as the ocean, yet still solid as a rock. Lovely.

Fans of "The Office" would recognize Melora Hardin in a heartbeat as Jan, Michael's boss. "Monk" fans think of her as Trudy #2. And if you're addicted to "Gilmore Girls," the just completed season had Melora playing what we all hope will be a regular role on the series. Bet you didn't know she was an amazing singer though, did you?

Call him Leo Get$. That was his idea to put the dollar sign in his name. Sony hired these two human billboards to walk around and promote their Blu-ray product. Leo was working his wares on the elevator area badge checker at the show with no success, but his motto, just like Joe Pesce in Lethal Weapon II is, "Whatever you want, Leo Gets, get it?"