Put the Mini on a hard surface and the results speak for themselves – there’s a roundness and punchiness to the bass response that sounds, and most importantly feels, like a real full-size amp – even with high gain sounds that can so easily feel boxy with small speakers. Also known as a ‘drone cone’, the passive radiator uses the enclosure’s internal SPL to create improved low-end frequencies that normally wouldn’t be possible for such small speakers. Remember our friend the passive radiator? This, nestled between four ‘custom damping’ rubber feet on the base of the amp, might be the secret to the Mini’s magic.
POSITIVE SPARK AMP DRIVERS
This thing sounds big in a way that no small amp has any right to do, certainly not one with just a pair of two-inch drivers behind that basketweave grille cloth.Īh, but of course – there’s not just a pair of two-inch drivers. There are over 30 different amp types available, running the gamut from Golden Era archetypes, to modern boutique gems and high gain fare, all of which sound top notch – but there’s more to it than just software. Key to this of course, are the onboard amp and effects tones, and there’s no doubt that the BIAS pedigree of these sounds is a huge boon.
The Spark Mini doesn’t just sound good for a small practice amp, it doesn’t just sound good for a modelling amp – it’s just a great sounding amp. Well, friend, put those preconceptions aside and prepare to have your mind blown. You’ll need to pair it a second time to stream audio from your device, but that’s all handily explained within the app and once you’ve done it you’ll never need to faff with it again.įor those of us who grew up on tiny practice amps that sounded like the proverbial wasp in a jam jar, it’s easy to look at the Mini and wonder how something this small can sound good.
POSITIVE SPARK AMP DOWNLOAD
Simply download the Spark app to your phone or tablet, turn the amp on, hit the pairing button, and within seconds you’ll be on your way. This positive impression continues to the setup, which is a breeze. While opening the Spark Mini might not have the theatre of unboxing a new iPhone, there’s something reassuring about the way the amp feels in your hands, the clean lines, the expertly applied black tolex and gold piping (it’s also available in Pearl white), even the way the knobs twist… it feels like a quality product. In the last decade, we’ve all become accustomed to a certain level of polish when it comes to our gadgets that belies how hard it is to make the sort of seamless and intuitive user experience a reality – something that’s tripped up many an MI brand trying to make the leap into consumer electronics in the last few years. Image: Adam Gasson Positive Grid Spark Mini: Hands on
The Spark Mini uses the same iOS/Android app as its 40-watt sibling, but clearly with less control on the unit itself, that app experience is going to be all-important – let’s dive in.
POSITIVE SPARK AMP BLUETOOTH
Holding down the Bluetooth pairing button also activates a tuner. Round the back you’ll also find 3.5mm jacks for headphones and an aux-in, while a USB-C port does double duty as both the charging port and the means to use the Mini as a recording interface (as well as a means of updating the firmware). There’s no tone stack or gain control here, simply controls for guitar volume, music volume and a rotary switch to select one of the four signal chain presets that can be stored on the hardware at any one time. There’s simply no room on the condensed control panel to fit the 17 knobs, buttons and switches that adorned the original, but even so the Mini’s three knobs feel a touch ascetic.
Obviously this opens up a wealth of al-fresco playing possibilities, and you’re helped on your way thanks to the addition of a reversible faux suede/faux leather carry handle to make the Mini a literal grab and go affair.īeing a third smaller than the 40-watt Spark does come with some unavoidable compromises on the control front, however.
The differences don’t end there we mentioned portability being a key aspect of the Spark Mini’s proposition, and so rejoice in being freed from the tyranny of plug socket thanks to a 3,000mA rechargeable battery that promises up to eight hours playtime at low to moderate volumes. Physics dictates that some changes from its larger sibling are inevitable, and so instead of a pair of four-inch full-range speakers and 40 watts of power, here we get 10 watts of Class D power pumping through two two-inch drivers and a passive radiator on the bottom (a very important addition, more on that later). The Spark Mini is roughly one third the length and a smidge shorter and deeper than its 40-watt sibling, making it roughly the size of a small studio monitor or a smart speaker like the Sonos One or Echo Studio. Image: Adam Gasson What are the differences between the Spark Mini and the Spark?įirst up, some vital statistics for you.
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