Positive Grid Spark Neo headphones review - Head in the amp!

Design, ergonomics and grip of the Spark Neo

Positive Grid is no stranger to designing products designed for, shall we say, discreet everyday use. We all remember the surprising Spark Go. This time, the American brand extends its Spark series into headphone format.

This is obviously no revolution in the world of guitar and bass, since Boss had already paved the way with its Waza-Air a few years ago. But Positive Grid is taking the gamble of offering a more accessible alternative, yet one that’s not lacking in qualities, as we’ll see.

As always with Positive Grid, the packaging is meticulous. Inside are the headphones and their wireless transmitter. The latter is to be plugged directly into a guitar or bass. However, we regret the absence of a carrying case.

Essentially made of plastic, the Spark Neo features a rubber-coated headband that is well-padded where it comes into contact with the skull. The ear pads are also fairly thick. However, I was unable to remove them without risking damage to the helmet. The shells, also made of the rubbery material typical of Spark products, offer a pleasant feel and appear to be scratch-resistant. It’s hard to say about the longevity of this assembly, but at first glance, it inspires confidence.

Visually, the Spark Neo reminded me of my trusty Sony WH-1000XM3, albeit with slightly thicker lines. It’s more reminiscent of a mass-market Bluetooth headset that could be worn daily, rather than a musician’s accessory with an assertive design, as is the case with the Waza-Air. It’s all a matter of taste, of course, but insofar as the Spark Neo can also be used as classic headphones, this more boilerplate look becomes an asset.

On the controls side, the right shell features four buttons (volume +/-, preset change, ON/OFF/Bluetooth), two LEDs (power and pairing), a 1/4-inch jack (for direct wired use with the instrument), and a USB-C port (for recharging and firmware updating). On the left shell, a single button, accompanied by an LED, is used to pair the headset with the wireless transmitter. Incidentally, it’s a shame that you have to connect the headset to your computer to update the firmware, whereas the Spark 2 can do so autonomously via the mobile app.

As for the transmitter, it is made of plastic and features a power button, an operating LED, and a USB-C port for charging.

The advertised battery life is between 6 and 8 hours for a full recharge in less than 4 hours (and about 2 hours for the transmitter), which is quite reasonable.

Once on the head, its 0.81 lbs (366 gram) are quickly forgotten. Tightening is a little more pronounced than on the Sony, but it remains comfortable over time, even when wearing glasses.

Manufactured in China, the Spark Neo appears to be well-assembled and will likely be able to withstand the vagaries of normal use. Its price of 199 dollars (238 euros), at the time of writing, is rather attractive, when you consider that it falls within a fairly standard range for wireless headphones from reputable brands, and especially that its competitor at Boss is offered at a much higher rate.

Integration of Spark Neo into Positive Grid’s Spark ecosystem

What’s interesting about Positive Grid with its Spark products is undoubtedly the standardization around a single ecosystem. I already had the Spark app installed on my Android phone, so all I had to do was pair the headset and it was immediately recognized. If you already own other products from the brand, then everything will be centralized. That means that it’s possible to use the Spark Neo in tandem with the Spark Control X pedalboard. This also implies that, sonically speaking, the algorithms used are the same across all devices. 

Not surprisingly, there’s a nice collection of effects (43) and amplifiers (33) to create your presets, spread over seven dedicated blocks, each corresponding to a type of effect. The catalog offers enough variety to cover a multitude of different styles and uses. However, the complaints remain the same as in previous tests: it’s not possible to move effects around in the chain, and an effect for changing the tuning of your instrument is still missing (perhaps in a future update?). Good news: the headset doesn’t need to be permanently connected to the app and can operate completely autonomously, scrolling through up to four presets via the button provided.

On the other hand, while the Spark Neo does benefit from the Spark app in the same way as the amps in the range, not all features are available. For example, it’s not possible to access the loopers or the “Smart Jam” mode. Instead, you’ll have to make do with “Quick Jam” mode, which offers a range of backing tracks in various styles, and is ideal for refining your best phrasing.

Nor is it possible to use the video recording function to film yourself playing. Despite this, the so-called “intelligent” functions, which can analyze and display the harmony of a YouTube video or automatically generate preset suggestions (still in English at the time of testing), are present. These features are more than enough to work on your instrument in a fun and effective way.

The headset’s sound rendering is very satisfactory, and the closed architecture, although only passive, allows for pleasant immersion. Unlike Boss’s Waza-Air, Positive Grid has not integrated a gyroscope to simulate a 3D environment, but is this really essential? Whether playing guitar or bass, I found the tonal balance sufficiently balanced, with faithful rendering of my presets designed when I reviewed Spark 2.

It’s also worth noting that, as always with Positive Grid, you can not only create your own presets, but also access those shared by the community via the ToneCloud. What’s more, when using the headphones in pair with its transmitter, I experienced no latency (3.8 ms according to the datasheet), nor did I notice any noticeable tonal difference between using the transmitter and the jack, which is very good news!

Although this isn’t the Spark Neo’s primary vocation, I also wanted to test its sound in a more recreational setting, listening to a few songs I know well. Comparing it to my Sony WH-1000XM3 mentioned at the start of the review, I clearly preferred the latter for this purpose. That’s not to say that the Spark Neo can’t be used as wireless headphones on a daily basis, but it was a little shy in the low frequencies, and sometimes slightly aggressive in the highs. That said, my point here concerns “pleasure” listening, which has nothing to do with the quest for a neutral, objective tonal balance.

Specifications:

• Type: wireless headphones for guitar and bass

• Proprietary wireless technology (advertised latency: 3.8 ms)

• Compatible application: Spark App (iOS/Android)

• Number of effects: 43

• Number of amps: 33

• Number of onboard presets: 4 accessible via headphones

• Connectivity:

  • 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) jack for wired connection

  • Bluetooth

  • USB-C for charging and updating

• Autonomy:

  • Headset: 6 to 8 h

  • Transmitter: about 2 h

• Recharging time:

  • Headset: < 4 h

  • Transmitter: ~2 h

• Weight: 0.81 lbs (366 g)

• Made in China

FAQ

Who is the Spark Neo designed for?

The Spark Neo is aimed primarily at guitarists and bassists wishing to practice without an amp, in complete discretion, at home or on the move.

Can the Spark Neo be used as a conventional Bluetooth headset?

Yes, but that’s not its strong point. It’s primarily optimized for instrumental use with built-in effects.

Is the Spark Neo compatible with all instruments?

Yes, as long as they have a standard 1/4-inch jack output. The supplied transmitter plugs directly into it.

What’s the difference with the Boss Waza-Air?

The Waza-Air offers 3D sound immersion via a gyroscope, but it costs significantly more. The Spark Neo relies on simplicity, low latency and a complete ecosystem.

Do you need another Positive Grid product to use it?

No. The Spark app is free, and the headset can operate autonomously with its onboard presets.