Being able to verbalize in musical terms helps with reviews. I'd recommend a copy of the' Harvard Dictionary of Music'. I bought my equipment via a combination of listening to pieces at a reputable dealer and by reading reviews via the internet. I've called dealers and have asked them questions about products while explaining what I have and what I'm looking for. Tweaks can also tune a system and I've found a couple of tweaks that made a day and night difference.
I know there are people who want scientific data, meter readings, etc... I don't dismiss that for people who can make good decisions by analyzing numbers and charts but that's not me.
Fortunately I live in a city with a top rated conservatory and a venerated concert hall. Our symphony orchestra is pretty good. The experience of hearing music in a live venue is certainly an advantage and a bit of common sense can go a long way.