After Sphear in 2015, the first high–end in–ear headphones, Spark will satisfy a mobile, young and connected target. Nothing fancy here and I appreciate the minimalism of it all. Focal, the French leader in professional acoustics, hi–fi and automotive, completes its range of headphones with a brand new in–ear: Spark. Dampen the Din: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 vs. QuietComfort 35 II, Pre-Order Bose's Sport Open Earbuds for $200, Samsung Reveals Galaxy Buds Pro Name on Canadian Storefront. The Focal Spark wireless is a winner! I built a guitar out of a shelf during lockdown ! Luckily, the French brand doesn’t only hang out in the high end. Focal Spark Wireless In-Ear Headphone Review IN THE BOX. The Focal Spark is available in three color schemes, which is black, silver, and blue. When the design of a pair of headphones or a speaker perfectly matches its function, that product usually gets a high score from me in terms of design. Your subscription has been confirmed. Focal does treble well, the Elear’s best quality was its sublime upper end. Inexpensive If you happen to have a phone without a headphone jack then don’t lose the dongle (or get something else to plug it into) because otherwise you’re out of luck. Try These Headphones Instead, The Best Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) for 2021, Cheap AirPod Alternatives: The Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $100. Focal Spark Review (Page 2 of 4) Page 2 - Physical Look - Hardware. Recently, these models have seen dramatic price drops with the Focal Spark found for as little as $19.99, the wireless for $35, and the Sphear for $65 on many popular online marketplaces. Besides my obvious hatred of the branding on these headphones my biggest problem with the way these headphones were built and designed is the control module. Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample If big bass without crisp highs appeals to you, the Spark won't disappoint, but if you're looking for a little more definition in this price range, consider the RHA S500i, the Klipsch Reference X6i, or the 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones. The Focal Spark Wireless earpieces are all-metal, with a two-tone black-on-silver look, and they’re chunky look fits well with the style of cable. Apple Will Fix It for Free. Available in black, blue, and silver-and-white models, the Spark's design is simple and clean. But on close inspection, they don’t look or feel anything out of the ordinary - the price doesn't immediately seem any sort of bargain. Discover the key facts and see how Focal Spark performs in the headphones ranking. Impedance 16 Ohms Overall the sound on the Sparks is good for this price range, but not great. The earphones sound more balanced on orchestral tracks than with any other genre, but there's still some added bass push. Apple AirPods Pro vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Which Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earphones Are Better? They work best with folk, jazz, and singer-songwriter music. The design is very basic, but that’s not a bad thing. It could’ve been that I had high expectations going into this review but I feel like the Focal Spark didn’t floor me in any way. For $69 the Spark in-ears get plenty right, and some things wrong. It performed as expected in many areas and was a bit of a letdown in others, but it was never great at any one thing. If you scratched three logos off of these headphones, you’d still have another logo. This is a sound signature that leans toward the lows and the low-mids, with some definition in the highs, but not as much as we'd prefer. I do enjoy wireless headphones every now and then, but there’s nothing like plugging in a wire and going on your way. There’s not much ceremony here, although in use the se… Branding is everywhere. The in-line controls work fine but if you’re on Android you’ll miss out on the ability to return to a previous track. Apple AirPods Max vs. Bose NC 700 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Should You Pay More for AirPods? The Focal Spark, at $69, represents the opposite end of the the Focal pricing spectrum, a no-frills, wired in-canal pair with an inline remote. Powerful bass response that never distorts. The Spark’s 9.5mm drivers are tuned for the V-shaped presentation; boosted bass and treble pairs well with today’s popular music, but recessed midrange leaves metal and rock music sounding a little dull. But we've tested similarly priced models that deliver more high frequency definition … The Focal Spark are light to the point where I would frequently forget that I had them in my shirt or pants pocket. Now with a pair of headphones like the Utopia in their line-up, you might expect Focal to take the same route towards near perfection with the Spark but the truth is it has a much more of a mainstream sound signature to it. Overview – Focal Spark Wired Earphones Review Overall, the Focal Spark Wired Earphones are a great earphone for the price. This is can be heard in the Disney piece “Paperman” by Christophe Beck where the melodic strings that come in at about the 35 second mark seem to fall behind the bass. The lower register instrumentation is pushed forward in the mix, but it doesn't overwhelm the balance, and the bright higher register brass, strings, and vocals are able to maintain their prominence in the mix. Focal Spark Wireless Earphones Review - Duration: 3:57. Without a doubt the best in-ear headphones in their category, they open the way for fans of streaming music who want to enjoy their favourite songs on the move. They offer a surprisingly bass-forward audio experience, given Focal's typically more balanced, accurate approach. Whether I was casually walking around running errands or actively shaking my head like a wet dog to test the fit, I didn’t have any issues with these falling out. That said, all the other controls work as advertised. I don’t find it dry at all, nor overly potent. Following up on our review last year of the very impressive Focal Sphear in-ear headphones, we now take a look at Focal’s 2017/18 lineup: The Sphear S, Spark and Spark Wireless earphones.. Read on for our review. Jarl. The Spark Wireless comes with the same accessories as the Spark — three sizes of silicone ear tips and a carry case — plus the a short micro-USB charging cable and magnetic shirt clip. Focal Audio's Spark in-ear headphone offers the perfect sound for music from all sources. Focal's recent headphones have exercised a little more restraint in the bass department and focused more on accuracy. Which is fine since the company has plenty of other products you can look towards if you want great. It certainly has the sonic punch to lead the pack, with its detailed response and solid low-end. The French audio brand Focal has been busy of late, expanding its quality lineup to include more affordable earphones to complement offerings like the Utopia, a $4,000 pair of headphones. It’s not a bad thing but to be honest it was slightly disappointing. Sure, it might not have the best detail but it gets the point across without being painful which is a great thing to have when the drivers are literally sitting in your ears. © 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. In the box you’ll get the headphones, a small hardshell carrying case for storage, three sets of extra ear tips, and the instruction manual. But that shouldn’t be mistaken for “bad”. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. The Focal Spark can indeed be considered a solid contender for the best wired in-ear headphones in its price-range. The Focal Spark Wireless don't cost too much more than the £60 of their wired equivalents. Flat, linguini-esque cabling descends from the earpieces, which feature metallic outer panels emblazoned with the Focal logo. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene in John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, get an added bass presence, but not nearly to the extent of modern mixes that feature more sub-bass content. The Spark Wireless are basic earphones - a narrow cable connects the two earpieces and a couple of junction boxes on the cable house the electronics. Keep an eye on your inbox! Published on 12 October 2018. The earphones ship with three pairs of silicone eartips in small, medium, and large sizes, and the in-ear fit is lightweight and secure. The first thing you’ll notice about the headphones is their design, and they look quite nice. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. The Focal Spark Wireless headphones are well-designed, great-sounding, and reasonably comfortable. Focal Spark and Focal Spark Wireless Headphones Review Updated on Nov 1, 2017 by Tuan Do Focal is a very well-known brand in the audiophile world as they have some great high-end loudspeakers. At first glance I was sure this would be one of those instances, but then I took the headphones out of the box and was smacked in the face with branding. The Spark's boosted bass is not unpleasant in the slightest, but it's missing its counterpart in the high-mids and highs—if we're abandoning the idea of a flat, accurate response, we need sculpting everywhere, not just in the lows, to achieve a sense of balance. The cable is also a flat one which helps to avoid tangles which is super helpful if you’re like me and just end up stuffing your headphones in your pocket when you’re done using them. For one, the earbuds have a small bullet-like shape to them that reminds me of the original Xiaomi Piston headphones which I absolutely loved. That said, I’m willing to bet this is an isolated incident since I haven’t seen that complaint anywhere else so I have to assume it’s just my bad luck. The French audio brand Focal has been busy of late, expanding its quality lineup to include more affordable earphones to complement offerings like the Utopia, a $4,000 pair of headphones. COPYRIGHT © 2021 SoundGuys, All Rights Reserved. They keep the sleek metallic look found on the original Focal Spark headphones, though obviously the cable instead wraps around your neck. We’re reviewing the black pair, which are extremely sleek and stylish — though in our opinion the silver headphones look a little m… Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. As far as connection goes there’s only one option here: a good ‘ol 3.5mm jack. Focal might not be the most well-known audio brand to your average consumer, but anyone who has spent time in a professional studio might recognize the name. We've heard earphones boost the lows far more intensely than this, but what's missing here is a little bit of added high-mid presence to balance it out and keep things crisp. The mids seem a little lackluster to my ears with elements that I know are meant to drive the song forward fading into the background. Helpful. Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives a better sense of the general sound signature. PCMag Digital Group. The sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat are delivered with some serious presence. You can pause or play music by clicking the middle multifunction button, skip to the next track by double clicking it, access your phone’s voice assistant by holding it down, and adjust the volume via the up and down buttons. 3:57. It’s large, clunky, and block-shaped which doesn’t match the clean and modern aesthetic that I’m sure Focal was going for. The French audio brand Focal has been busy of late, expanding its quality lineup to include more affordable, How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management, Read 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones Review, Read Klipsch Reference XR8i Hybrid Review, AirPods Max Too Expensive? I find the tone and texture of the top end to be very appealing, interesting and nicely tuned for musicality. They’re not for bassheads, but if you appreciate earphones with a clear high end to emphasize vocals, you’ll enjoy these earphones. The Focal Spark in-ears are solid and will get the job done, which is about all you can expect at this price point. The Good The Focal Sphear is a lightweight, comfortable in-ear headphone that stays in your ears and sounds impressive for the price, with full bass and pleasantly crisp treble. The headphones come in three color options — silver, black, and a nice rose gold. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/focal-spark. Just don't expect to be blown away. Whether you’re looking for a spare pair to keep in your bag or are looking to make them your go-to everyday pair of headphones these are a good option that’s just a little rough around the edges. But I digress. This time, we’re trying out Spark Wireless ($99), the Bluetooth version of Focal’s entry-level headphone range. Gavin's Gadgets 1,649 views. The Focal Spark wired headphones retail for $69, and they are available from Amazon [affiliate link] and other retailers. Full Review: https://www.themasterswitch.com/review-focal-spark If you have more room in your budget and want some excellent-sounding wired in-ears, the Bowers & Wilkins C5 Series 2 remain one of our favorites. Focal Spark Wireless – Review. Decent "popular" sound PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. But now that we’ve got the negatives out of the way let’s focus on some of the things these headphones get right, because it does do a good job at almost everything else. Inside the earpieces, audio is delivered via electrodynamic 9.5mm mylar drivers, with a 15 Ohm impedance. On Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild," the drum loop receives less high-mid presence than it typically does, which has the effect of dulling the attack of the hits slightly. Part way down the left cable, you’ll find a small remote, which features a volume u… While the sound is good, with reasonable lows, good enough midrange and pleasant highs, this leaves a lot to be desired in the connection department. Apple's AirPods Max Over-Ear Headphones Are Here, and They're Expensive, Getting Static or Crackling in Your AirPods Pro? Callahan's baritone vocals also get a heavy dose of low and low-mid presence, bringing out their richness even more than might be necessary. I don’t want to be a walking advertisement every time I go to the grocery store. But I feel like there’s a right way to do it, and Focal didn’t get that balance right with these. The outer two buttons are dedicated volume up and down controls that work in conjunction with your mobile device's master volume levels. Other than a tiny black zip-up protective case, there are no additional accessories. There's nothing wrong with the added bass depth, as it's never over the top, but the earphones could use some added high-mid presence to give things more definition and clarity in the highs. The Spark looks good and is competitively priced, although the earpiece fit could be improved. Inline remote with exceptionally clear microphone. The vocals on this track are delivered clearly, but again, we are missing the high-mid treble edge that would help them stand out more against the bass-dense backdrop. Focal says that the Spark is aimed for a young, mobile, connected audience — we think its sound signature is well-matched for that goal. I know it’s not really a big deal, but I can’t be the only one who cares about this. AirPods Pro vs. AirPods 2: Which True Wireless Apple Earbuds Are Better? One major problem that I had with these was the microphone. the song already has powerful thumping bassnotes throughout and with a little extra attention paid to them they take over. At $100, the Focal Spark Wireless earphones offer a secure fit and powerful bass response. 0. He specializes in reviewing audio products, and is obsessed with headphones, speakers, and recording gear. Verified Purchase. The Focal Spark, at $69, represents the opposite end of the the Focal pricing spectrum, a no-frills, wired in-canal pair with an inline remote. We’ll be tackling the latter in another review, but for now, let’s talk about the wired version. Look, I get it. But then you get the name “Focal” stamped in white across the side of the earbud, as well as on the black control module hanging out on the wire, as well as the 3.5mm connector, and even on the small piece of metal at the Y-split. Branding is important to any company that wants to sell their product. (This logo, coincidentally, looks quite a bit like the logo of audio manufacturer MartinLogan, only shifted on its side.) For those who like visual simplicity for a clean appearance, the Focal Spark has you covered. This is a look at Focal’s every day, let’s say, entry-level Focal Spark Wireless in earbuds. Whether I was trying to talk on the phone or access the voice assistant on my phone I just couldn’t get it to work. The body of the headphones is made from sleek, durable, great sounding aluminum. Again, it's not the most intense bass boosting we've ever heard, but the lows are pumped up considerably. The Focal Spark, at $69, represents the opposite end of the the Focal pricing spectrum, a no-frills, wired in-canal pair with an inline remote. By Simon Wilce. The remote is of the three-button variety, with a central button devoted to playback, call management, and track navigation, depending on how many times you tap it. The low end is given a nice prominence that makes itself known in songs that you might not expect them to. Our review unit of the Focal Spark arrived in a relatively compact, brown corrugated cardboard box from the company's public relations firm in Miami, Florida, USA. After reading a lot of reviews, bought the Focal Spark Wireless headphones. So lets take a listen to the Focal Spark Wireless in-ear headphone to see if it’s going to be worthy of being called wireless audiophile technology. So much so, that we think these are the best casual-listening in-ear wireless headphones at this price point." Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020. Focal Spark Review Introduction In their rather short foray into the headphone market, Focal has become my favorite brand for personal music enjoyment. , culminating in a 3.5mm connection they keep the sleek metallic look found on the opposite side of the beefed! 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