SRH440

Earphones and headphones often come with some fairly intimidating spec sheets. This can make choosing the right model for you a little daunting. Thankfully, we've put together a list of the most commonly seen specs to help you make an informed decision.

Recently, the editorial staff at TIME evaluated nearly 3,000 listening products. Partnering with a third-party research service, TIME combed through archives of expert reviews, product specs and media coverage to determine which brand offered the "true audio experience."

Not too long ago, Shure Notes editors crossed into the sprawling, top-secret world that is Shure's Technology Annex to learn more about the development of its headphone line from Chief Engineer Yuri Shulman.

What specifications are important to understand when purchasing new earphones or headphones? In this video, we cover the basics.

You already have a smartphone. Maybe you even have a camcorder or a DSLR camera. The question is this: is it possible to improve the sound quality of your videos using basic gear? Internet video expert Mark Shapiro shares his thoughts and tips.