SPARK 2 " A.I " Tone Creation ..... pretty damn impressive

[timbuck3]

The Spark Mini and Spark Go are Bluetooth only, no WiFi. But the app connects and works pretty trouble free for both.

Guess i heard this on the spark 2

 

[Enchilada Jones]

Anyone have experience with Yamaha THR 30 compared to Spark 2?
The quality of sound using it to amplify a modeler into the aux input is as important to me as the onboard modeling for that question.
I see all the other Spark 2 features as possibly useful but if it sounds less 'amp' like for modeling/amplification of aux modelers than the Yamaha then it isn't worth it to me.

 

[KingsXJJ]

The superwide stereo effect on my idcore amps is not bs but sounds huge

It really is a nice feature IMO.

 

[Will Onyx]

Anyone have experience with Yamaha THR 30 compared to Spark 2?
The quality of sound using it to amplify a modeler into the aux input is as important to me as the onboard modeling for that question.
I see all the other Spark 2 features as possibly useful but if it sounds less 'amp' like for modeling/amplification of aux modelers than the Yamaha then it isn't worth it to me.

On the Spark Mini, there is DSP applied to the aux in that creates almost a 1 sec delay between the input and output. I don’t remember the spark 40 having this problem, but it’s been a while since I had one. I know that PG boasts about the Spark 2 having ‘Sonic IQ Computational Audio’, which I’m assuming is just fancy wording for DSP as well. If it reacts like the mini, then using it as a "FRFR" speaker for another modeler will be a no go.

 

[Sascha Franck]

On the Spark Mini, there is DSP applied to the aux in that creates almost a 1 sec delay between the input and output. I don’t remember the spark 40 having this problem, but it’s been a while since I had one. I know that PG boasts about the Spark 2 having ‘Sonic IQ Computational Audio’, which I’m assuming is just fancy wording for DSP as well. If it reacts like the mini, then using it as a ""FRFR"" speaker for another modeler will be a no go.

Fwiw, this is the same for many battery driven boomboxes, too, they're compensating for lack of power/size with some DSP driven "smart" enhancements. Thought about possibly being able to use one of the Bose Soundlink Minis (which I got a as a present) as a super small practice amp, but it wasn't possible due to the latency introduced (on the mini TRS aux in that is).

 

[bigmenace]

I don't have any modelers at my disposal for the moment so I cant test the ""FRFR"'ness" of the speakers but I can test the perceived latency with analog pedals in the guitar input (everything turned off in the app) and in aux input.

I'll try to remember - there's going to be a snow storm happening so I'm going to get cozy with some good liquor and tea anyway..

 

[BahamaDada]

Does the Spark 2 have a possibility to footswitch presets?

Edit: Dumb question, just googled it myself. It has a BT footswitch. 133€ extra.

 

[bigmenace]

Well, the stereo aux input doesn't seem to add any perceivable latency. Can't say anything about the sound as I don't have a proper modeler anymore.

 

[Will Onyx]

How does it sound when you stream music through it?

 

[bigmenace]

How does it sound when you stream music through it?

Compared to my small JBL Flip 3 bluetooth speaker, I have to say that I like the JBL more. Well the JBL is an actual bluetooth speaker meant for music playback after all, so no surprises here. The Spark sounded boomy and there was definitely less sparkle and lack of definition in top end. The stereo field was bigger on the JBL as well - whatever magic fu**ery they're doing, it just works. Obviously my 5" studio monitors had no issue blowing both of these out of the water.
Would I use the Spark as a daily music streaming device? No I don't think so. Some EQ would probably make it sound more even but I can't be bothered to go that deep.

Eventually I got curious and hooked my interface secondary outputs to the Spark aux-in and did some A/B testing with Ndsp plugins Honestly it wasn't bad at all. Didn't have to do any EQ'ing or anything to make them sound good. Obviously I still prefer my main monitors but if all I had was a laptop and a Spark then I'd be more than happy. Sounded a bit boxy which is to be expected but I have played guitar through worse speaker systems in the past.
Would I use it as a "FRFR" speaker with a modeler? Yes if that's all I had, but nothing beats a good pair of monitors so in my case it's a no.

In conclusion I'd say that the speakers sound quite flat which is good. But the size and narrow spacing will be the limiting factors here. Take whatever you wan't from this, I still enjoy my Spark as it is. It's the ease of use that matters and sometimes I just want to grab my guitar and get some rocking tones and with Spark it just takes one push of a button.