I agree with Ritz, doug and edzepplin. My background is the opposite of ritz, I'm an EE and a wannaba studio engineer. As a hobby I do some recording but I mostly do sound restorations (Reel to reel, LP's etc.). Specifications unfortunately do not convey how something will sound. Too many factors involved not to mention how all those factors interact. As basic as an amplifier is, I have never heard 2 sound the same. They interct with the load (speaker), the source, the power supply, even what temperature it is running at.
The problem is also compounded by the fact that the specifications change depending on how they are measured. An amplifier will sound different at 1W, 10W and 100W. What specifications do tell us is that the product is designed to meet the need. Great specifications are a start. Then its up to preference. Its sort of like a car, its in the driving, not just the engine, or tires, or shocks, etc. etc.
Just my 2 cents.