Spark vs Strymon Iridium for practice device

jason.clifton

I bought and Iridium a month before I ordered the Spark. I’ve used the Iridium for well over 100 hours of practicing and have less than 4 on the Spark. I practice with headphones only, listening to music or lessons off of an iPad.
Here are my initial thoughts on a comparison of the two devices.

Iridium

Pros
The tones are amazing. From clean to driven it’s really like having a mix of high quality amps and cabs at your disposal. You just can’t overstate how good it sounds.
It’s dead quiet.

Cons
Limited effects. Only effect is “Room”
Didn’t have a line in (I used a FIFINE Ultra Low-Noise 4-Channel Line Mixer)
Headphone only or need some type of amp to play outloud

Spark

Pros
Lots of different sounds
Built in line in
Superior connectivity options
Smart Jam / Auto Cords
USB audio interface

Cons
Hum/Noise through speakers
Sound mix/balance through speakers (there is just something not pleasing when compared to headphones)

The Spark really had a chance to be something spectacular but there is just something about the sound quality out of the speakers that is very off putting. I think had Positive Grid focused on quality a little more rather then price we all would have benefited.

I think overall for a desktop practice amp the Spark is really pretty wonderful especially considering the price. Hopefully some of the sound quality (buzz, hum, balance, eq) can be addressed through software updates.

Again I am just learning so take this for what it is. Just one guys opinion.

Jason

dhbailey

@jason-clifton Thanks for that comparison. Not having heard about the Iridium before this I'm glad you made me aware of it. Still glad I ordered the Spark but it's good to know there are other options out there!

K.McG

There's no real comparison to be made. One is a cabinet simulator pedal that costs twice as much as the fully functional practice amp.

Is a dog better than a banana?

michael 0

@k-mcg It varies, depending on how hungry you are...

jason.clifton

@k-mcg said in Spark vs Strymon Iridium for practice device:

..... as the fully functional practice amp.

I think you might get a lot of argument about that.

They are both amp simulators just one has an output to line/headphone and one has headphone/speakes. If the Spark would have been reasonably available I might have never bought the Iridium.

This was just my compare and contrast of two devices I had experience with.

Jason

K.McG

@jason-clifton

They are both amp simulators just one has an output to line/headphone and one has headphone/speakes.

Really? The two are identical apart from outputs? Out over your twice-as-expensive skis there, mate.

scottakam

I have an HX Stomp that I have used for practice for quite a while with headphones. I love it and it has many great features as it should at 3x the Spark price. I find I don't use the Stomp much for practice since getting the Spark. The spark is super simple to get practicing and has better features for practicing which is why I bought it. Not having to mess with cables or headphones to get practicing over a metronome or track is huge. Whatever makes you practice more and better is the best practice amp!

Michael Howell

FYI I've read here that replacing the OEM power supply that came with the Spark with a grounded PS fixes the noise issues.

scyoung44

I also have both, but strangely my experience is about the opposite of yours. I have spent most of my time practicing with the Spark and very little with the Iridium. The Iridium does sound great and I would use it for recording. I have not yet tried much recording with the Spark as I just got it, but I will get to that soon. It would be nice if the Spark had a simple way of disabling effects (other than perhaps "Room") so that you could easily record it pre-effects. Naturally, you could disable the effects one-by-one, but I nit-pick. My Spark does not hum. I guess my grounding is good. I suspect it will record quite well. Back to practicing... I don't really like listening through headphones. I like to hear the amp in the room and I like easily being able to add effects. To me, Spark is the closest science has come to getting a real, "big-boy" amp sound at practice volumes that won't damage your hearing, break your lease or drive your dogs out of the room. The Jam functions are also a great feature.