All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

At any A/V show, it is almost impossible to cover everything. What's more, many of the smaller, less noticeable products get overlooked in favor of some of the larger and more elaborate ones. This doesn't make them any less important, mind you. So while Marc Mickelson and Jeff Fritz toured the Festival in search of the best audio and video products, I dropped my title of "Doug Schneider, SoundStage! Publisher" and began wearing a badge that read "Chief Seeker-Outer of the Coolest Products and Niftiest Gadgets." And did I ever find some good ones.

After you walk into the front doors of the Delta and turn to go up the stairs to the registration desk, the first exhibit you will encounter is that of retailer Centre Hi-Fi. On display are some of the neatest desktop systems that I've seen in some time. What's more, they're so modestly priced that anyone can afford them. JVC may well stand for Just Very Cool after consumers get their hands on these starting in April. On display were three models priced at (get ready to hold onto your hats and get out your wallets) $399 CDN for the FS-505, $499 CDN for the FS-507 and $599 CDN for the FS-509. Take note: that's Canadian dollars, and the price includes a full-function CD player and speakers! What's more, the CD player is a top-loader with an electronically operated lid (clear, of course) that opens and closes with supreme smoothness. The styling can be summed up as simply beautiful. Based on looks alone these units blow the lids off of those lousy-looking boom boxes that adorn so many desks and rooms. Frankly, everyone who saw them with me thought they'd be priced close to $1000, if not more, with many commenting that they looked like something from B&O.

That's not all from JVC. If you look very closely at the picture on the right you will actually see five ultra-small speakers for full five-channel surround sound. Believe me, they're all there, and they're part of a complete miniature home-theater system from JVC called the TH-A10 that is priced at a reasonable $2299 CDN. Also included in this system is a combination DVD player/surround-sound receiver (shown on the front table) that decodes both Dolby and DTS. The largest part of the system, besides the TV (which is not included in the system), is the powered subwoofer located on the floor.

OK, enough about JVC, although they did have yet another mini system that can be seen in the picture left. The real focus of this photo is actually the speaker sitting on the floor. The model S1 with P1 subwoofer is from Canada's Audio Products International (API), and it is the part of the new Athena Technologies brand of loudspeakers (API also manufacturers the Energy, Sound Dynamics and Mirage speakers). Also in the lineup are S2 and S3 speakers with matching P2 and P3 subs. For home-theater enthusiasts there is also a center-channel speaker. Although the speakers will play any type of music for any age of listener, judging by the slick styling and contemporary finish (not to mention the whizzy interactive website), I would say the company is aiming these speakers at the more youthful music- and movie-loving market. Still, no matter who you are and what your age, if you are into good sound and good looks, I recommend putting these speaker on your list.

From ultra modern to something just a little more esoteric. How about getting a little more juice for your headphones? And how about getting it with the sweet sound of tubes? Distributor Divergent Technologies showed the astounding lineup of affordably priced tube products from Antique Sound Lab that included this, the MG-Head headphone amplifier, priced at $280. Connect it to the output of a CD player or other line-level source, plug in your favorite headphones and then sit back and enjoy.

And what about that CD player of yours? Are you looking for a new one? Nothing says cool looks quite like the stuff from the Japanese company 47 Labs. Audiophiles are becoming increasingly familiar with this interesting brand that includes the minuscule preamplifier and CD player shown in the picture above right. The prices? Remember the old saying about having to ask.

Now, do you want some really unique to show off to your friends? Look no further than speaker maker Avantgarde for a great conversation piece in your room. Audiophiles, of course, know these speakers well. However, the general public likely doesn't judging from the raised eyebrows of unsuspecting show patrons when they encountered these at the Festival. Pictured left are the very large and colorful Duo loudspeakers that feature a horn-loaded tweeter and midrange driver. These speakers are very efficient, meaning they require little power to get them to sing loudly. What better thing to use them with than tubes! Driving the speakers at this show was a BAT preamplifier and  KR Enterprise amplifier, shown in the middle.

Stayed tuned for more cool products and nifty gadgets coming in tomorrow's coverage.