Reader Mike Agee asks: "I'd like to hear about great audio products that have managed to go under-reviewed in the audio press. I realize there are many reasons why this might happen, from manufacturer reluctance [to submit review samples] to bad timing in the marketplace, but we all know there are a real winners out there that never made a recommended list."

Reader BeeJay DeeJay would like to know if readers can hear a faint "background" ringing or hissing in their ears when it is dead quiet? If so, what is the extent of that hiss or noise, and is it bothersome when listening?

Lots of great poll questions have been submitted and we'll start working through them. Here's the first one: Have you studied music? Do you play music yourself?

Reader Carl Lundberg, noticing Wes Phillips' preference for cats, wants to know if all audiophiles exhibit this tendency. Are you a cat, dog, or other kind of pet person?