Positive Grid continues to expand its Spark range with wireless headphones for guitar and bass players. Accompanied by a transmitter that plugs directly into the instrument, the Spark Neo lets you play discreetly. But what’s it like to use?

Design, ergonomics and grip of the Spark Neo
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.
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.
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
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.
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:
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Type: wireless headphones for guitar and bass
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Proprietary wireless technology (advertised latency: 3.8 ms)
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Compatible application: Spark App (iOS/Android)
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Number of effects: 43
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Number of amps: 33
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Number of onboard presets: 4 accessible via headphones
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Connectivity:
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1/4-inch (6.35 mm) jack for wired connection
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Bluetooth
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USB-C for charging and updating
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Autonomy:
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Headset: 6 to 8 h
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Transmitter: about 2 h
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Recharging time:
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Headset: < 4 h
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Transmitter: ~2 h
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Weight: 0.81 lbs (366 g)
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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.