Spark Mini vs Spark 40
-
Here's my two cents.......I do own both units. Now, you can't expect the mini to have the same live fidelity as the larger Spark.For it's size, the mini is fairly loud but it really lacks bottom end. Also, the patches sound very shrill and would have to be re-eq'd to compensate.
The Mini I received yesterday has a headphone volume that is so low it's unusable. I've tried all of the suggested fixes but it still is beyond weak. The headphone output on the 40 is excellent ! The mini needs to go back. I highly doubt they will replace it but merely fix the issue. Too bad....disappointed... -
I haven't noticed low headphone volume, but I don't like it really loud. Also, headphone impedance has a dramatic effect on volume (obviously), as I'm sure you know.
As an example, IEMs, no matter how weak a headphone amp is, are going to get very loud. I use cheap headphones, which pretty much guarantees the impedance is around 16 ohms, which is good for this thing.
As for the shrill stock presets, well that's not ideal but not an issue at all.
-
@mac-wilson Yes, I understand that....I use Sony MR-V6 headphones and they sound great on the larger Spark. In fact there is more power to spare. I do believe this is a hardware defect in my Mini.
-
We shall see. I wonder how long a replacement will take
-
@tom-aragon I'd certainly say the balance between the different frequency bands on the Mini is far closer to the tones recorded via the USB than the Spark 40. The Spark 40 is way too bass heavy for my taste. Doesn't mean it gives you the tone you like though, and that's what really is relevant for you.
-
@mac-wilson They said two weeks.........not holding my breath....LOL
-
@broadkarnage I'll have to try that once they replace the unit.
For some reason I never got that working right on the 40 and always used the headphone out. I would just take the headphone out into an Izotope Spire and that worked fine. I much preferred the headphone output tone to the sound coming out of the speakers but that's just a personal preference. -
@tom-aragon That's exactly what I mean about the difference between the actual modelling and the speaker sound in the Spark 40. The Mini is closer to that headphone out sound IMO.
-
@tom-aragon Just as I accidentally found with my Spark a few months ago, the Mini benefits from a huge volume boost, more bass and better overall balance if it is set next to or slightly behind you - and facing a metal file cabinet (best!) or a flexible surface like wood paneling (or lightweight hollow door or thin drywall).
The reflective audio gives the impression of playing through a much larger amp somewhere in front of you.
It's very strange. I've been playing since the 60's, working on amps since 1971 and have mixed audio at large venues - it really makes only a slight amount of sense but it works. I've demonstrated both amps for friends, moving the position around - both the Spark and the Mini do things they just are not intentionally engineered to do (I even use the Spark as a pedal steel practice amp, which should overload the electronics, flutter the crap out of the speaker and result in an unrecognizable, overloaded audio mess).
But weirdly, it works great with an Emmons push-pull and several different Fender 8 strings.
Anyway - try positioning it 5-6' away from a flat, flexible surface. It certainly won't hurt anything to give it a try (FWIW the metal file cabinet works best for me).
-
@silverface The live sound is fine , it's the headphone volume that is the problem
-
update your Spark Mini Firmware to latest (Spark MINI Firmware v1.8.2.19) addresses the weak headphone output
-
@digitar55 This is my 3rd Spark Mini........I asked for a refund on the second one but they sent me another one ignoring my request...It took 2 hours and at least 10-15 tries on 3 different windows machines.Finally it kicked in and updated. The volume has improved but is not at the level of the Spark 40.
