When Monster Cable horned in on Belkin’s computer-peripherals business, Belkin counterattacked in Monster’s native high-end audio market with a line of products that takes its design cues from Belkin’s iPod accessories. Though the Power Conditioner PF30 and Power Console PF40L—souped-up surge protectors that filter electricity for higher-quality audio—scored Belkin great placement in Best Buy, the packaging didn’t communicate the products’ purpose very well.

BOTTOM LINE: In the first four months, these two products recouped 77 percent of the line’s development costs.