Specifications capture the essence of equipment performance. Understanding them will make you a savvy shopper.
When you're shopping for audio or video equipment, you should base your decision on three basic criteria: price, features and performance. Price and features are relatively easy to compare. Once you decide on a price range and select the features you need, you're "in the ballpark." The next step is to compare specifications. They are the true indicators of the equipment's performance, and they help you get the most bang for your buck.
But be careful. Comparing specifications can be a simple and straightforward process, or it can be a misleading mess. The trick is to make sure you're comparing apples with apples, not apples with o…