ESP EssencePrice: $2199.99 per 3m cord and $2999.99, respectively

Website: www.essentialsound.com

Howard said: Chances are that the ESP products will substantially improve your system’s sound. Undoubtedly, they’ll make you realize, for the first time or the fifth, that you overlook the benefits of good AC power at your own risk.

Read the Ultra Audio review.

The gist: Solidly competitive with the rest, but not cheap.