Using the Voice Memos app on an iPhone 6s, we not only understood each word clearly, but microphone quality was exceptional, delivering crisp high mids and an ideal level of bass response. The sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat are delivered with some serious presence. Just don't expect to be blown away. 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. I don’t want to be a walking advertisement every time I go to the grocery store. 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. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/focal-spark. Contributing Editor Tim Gideon has been writing for PCMag since 2006. Apple Will Fix It for Free. The cabling joins into a single cable around mid-torso, culminating in a 3.5mm connection. Discover the key facts and see how Focal Spark performs in the headphones ranking. The design is very basic, but that’s not a bad thing. Try These Headphones Instead, The Best Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) for 2021, Cheap AirPod Alternatives: The Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $100. Focal does treble well, the Elear’s best quality was its sublime upper end. Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020. Branding is everywhere. Luckily, the French brand doesn’t only hang out in the high end. But we've tested similarly priced models that deliver more high frequency definition … Again, it's not the most intense bass boosting we've ever heard, but the lows are pumped up considerably. 3:57. Focal Spark Wireless Earphones Review - Duration: 3:57. If you scratched three logos off of these headphones, you’d still have another logo. 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. In particular, let’s talk about the design. Spark's design is at once fashionable and timeless, and they are a pleasure to use and to wear. 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. 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. 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. Published on 12 October 2018. (This logo, coincidentally, looks quite a bit like the logo of audio manufacturer MartinLogan, only shifted on its side.) Apple's AirPods Max Over-Ear Headphones Are Here, and They're Expensive, Getting Static or Crackling in Your AirPods Pro? There’s not much ceremony here, although in use the se… Apple AirPods Pro vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Which Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earphones Are Better? If it stopped there, it would’ve been fine. The Focal Spark happens to be a really great pair of in-ear headphones; that they are so inexpensive is just icing on the cake. Focal Spark Review (Page 2 of 4) Page 2 - Physical Look - Hardware. They are just what it says there but they’re very accomplished indeed. 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. 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. 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. Focal Spark Wireless In-Ear Headphone Review IN THE BOX. Available in black, blue, and silver-and-white models, the Spark's design is simple and clean. 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. It has a good sound, although I got better tips from Comply, and it improved the bass response a bit. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Focal Spark ⭐ review. 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’s Sphear Wireless are a sleek and simple pair of banded Bluetooth earbuds with exceptional sound and an affordable price. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like the Knife's "Silent Shout," the earphones deliver a powerful low frequency response. This is a look at Focal’s every day, let’s say, entry-level Focal Spark Wireless in earbuds. Besides this stealthy black color option you can also get them in a white/silver color way that looks a little bit cleaner as the branding isn’t as noticeable. 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. Powerful bass response that never distorts. 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 drums on this track can sound overly bass-heavy on earphones that boost the deep lows too much. Focal Spark Wireless – Review. 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. 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. They keep the sleek metallic look found on the original Focal Spark headphones, though obviously the cable instead wraps around your neck. Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives a better sense of the general sound signature. 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. French audio company Focal has been creating acoustic equipment since 1979 in the home audio, headphones, car speakers and monitor fields. 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. Not for those seeking an accurate sound signature. 0. The Focal Spark can indeed be considered a solid contender for the best wired in-ear headphones in its price-range. 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. Here, the drums definitely get an extra helping in the bass department, but it's not enough to send things into ridiculous thunder territory. The headphones come in three color options — silver, black, and a nice rose gold. 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. Full Review: https://www.themasterswitch.com/review-focal-spark - Duration: 26:01. The Spark looks good and is competitively priced, although the earpiece fit could be improved. 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. Overview – Focal Spark Wired Earphones Review Overall, the Focal Spark Wired Earphones are a great earphone for the price. Focal says that the Spark is aimed for a young, mobile, connected audience — we think its sound signature is well-matched for that goal. 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. 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. Overall the sound on the Sparks is good for this price range, but not great. 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. An inline remote control and microphone compartment is located along the left ear's cable at roughly chin level. One major problem that I had with these was the microphone. The Focal Spark wired headphones retail for $69, and they are available from Amazon [affiliate link] and other retailers. I do enjoy wireless headphones every now and then, but there’s nothing like plugging in a wire and going on your way. Nothing fancy here and I appreciate the minimalism of it all. 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. 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. Part way down the left cable, you’ll find a small remote, which features a volume u… Video Review The Spark buds are beautifully-built | The Master Switch Design: Focal (pronounced Fo-CAL, by the way - they’re French) sent us two models: the Spark, and its wireless cousin. These are still a solid pair of earbuds that get the job done, which is all you can really ask for when it comes to earbuds. Verified Purchase. Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample 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. The Focal Spark earphones have made this decision a little easier, because the Sparks are attractive, priced right and are offered both wired and wireless. 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. The Focal Spark Wireless don't cost too much more than the £60 of their wired equivalents. 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. After reading a lot of reviews, bought the Focal Spark Wireless headphones. Look, I get it. 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. Focal, the French leader in professional acoustics, hi–fi and automotive, completes its range of headphones with a brand new in–ear: Spark. Focal Spark Wireless in-ear headphone review: Audiophile sound at a budget price The French manufacturer's in-ear-headphones will bathe you in intoxicating audiophile sound … 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. 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. I don’t find it dry at all, nor overly potent. Focal Audio's Spark in-ear headphone offers the perfect sound for music from all sources. Focal Spark Review Introduction In their rather short foray into the headphone market, Focal has become my favorite brand for personal music enjoyment. They offer a surprisingly bass-forward audio experience, given Focal's typically more balanced, accurate approach. The wired Focal Spark earphones deliver a rich, full bass response but could use a little more presence in the higher frequencies to balance things out. 0 Comment Report abuse. The outer two buttons are dedicated volume up and down controls that work in conjunction with your mobile device's master volume levels. Still, I guess that was just my personal bias slipping in because when I handed off the headphones to my friends to try they loved them. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. © 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. It’s not a bad thing but to be honest it was slightly disappointing. Minimal design, Blocky control module 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. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Which Pair Is Better? But I feel like there’s a right way to do it, and Focal didn’t get that balance right with these. 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. The Focal Spark are light to the point where I would frequently forget that I had them in my shirt or pants pocket. 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. At top, unwise listening levels, the drivers do not distort, and at more moderate volumes, the deep lows still have a strong presence, balanced somewhat by the high-mids and highs. It certainly has the sonic punch to lead the pack, with its detailed response and solid low-end. 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