Last year, we reviewed the Focal Spark, an excellent pair of buds that retail for a little under $70. While simple cable earphones rarely last much longer than five hours between charges, the Focal Spark Wireless last eight, putting them in the next league when it comes to stamina. The bud itself is aluminum, nice and light, and comes in Rose Gold (pink), Black and Silver for the Wireless Sparks. There’s not much ceremony here, although in use the se… They cost £89, just £30 more than the wired version. At $99, they also offer a secure, lightweight fit and are easy to operate. There’s no aptX or NFC either, but it’s no great surprise when the cost bump over the wired Focal Spark Wireless is relatively small. That, however, is because this track lacks a powerful deep bass presence to shift the balance to the lows. Bass and treble is far more prominent here than in the SoundMagic E10BT. It isn’t the most elegant solution, however. Focal doesn't get anything glaringly wrong here, but the sound signature isn't as compelling as other options we've tested. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Which Pair Is Better? This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Nearest the left earpiece, at roughly chin level, is the inline remote control compartment. 0 Comment Report abuse. Apple Will Fix It for Free. #mc-embedded-subscribe-form .mc_fieldset{border:none;min-height: 0px;padding-bottom:0px;}. The remote houses three buttons—a central multifunction button for playback and call management, and plus/minus buttons for adjusting volume and track navigation. As such, they don’t lack energy or bulk, and the soundstage is respectably wide for a pair of in-ears. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. The design works pretty well. At $99, they also offer a secure, lightweight fit and are easy to operate. 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. Here he test and reviews some of newest mobile, audio and camera d…. That said, the profound bass response can overwhelm the mix at times, and even lovers of powerful low end might find themselves wishing for more crisp, high-mid presence in the mix. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. The Focal Spark Wireless are mid-priced wireless earphones for those who hate the neckband style of rival pairs, but don’t want the so-so battery life of sets with … 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. The in-ear unit itself is a basic silver cylinder, and on the end of each unit you’ll find the Focal logo, under which is a small grill. At $100, the Focal Spark Wireless earphones offer a secure fit and powerful bass response. The Focal Spark wireless is a winner! The Focal Sphear Wireless earphones deliver a good audio experience, with two useful EQ modes, for a reasonable price. With 4.1 Bluetooth technology, a range of up to 15 meters, and 8-hours of battery life, they are great for travel and workouts. The high-mids feel dialed back, though—there's less treble edge on Callahan's vocals, the guitar strums have less brightness, and things seem generally shifted toward the lows. Like the Spark wired earphone, the Spark wireless features well balanced bass, crystal clear mids and all the high frequencies you could wish for in a wireless in-ear headphone. Source: The samples for this review were provided by Focal. */ Focal Spark Wireless The gist: The Spark wireless is an entry-level model that gives music lovers a taste of the legendary Focal sound… well, almost. 4.0 out of 5 stars Good value. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. They may not have perfect sound balance or perfect wireless performance, but the Focal Spark Wireless have plenty of energy. This is typical of a Bluetooth inline mic, however, and for basic communication purposes, it'll do just fine. But that shouldn’t be mistaken for “bad”. Jarl. Andrew Williams is a technology writer, who has contributed to Stuff, WIRED, TechRadar, T3, Wareable and, of course, Trusted Reviews. I find them prone to movement-related blips. Feed the Focal Spark Wireless some more natural sounds and you’ll begin to hear their limitations, though. The headphones come in three color options — silver, black, and a nice rose gold. Lightweight, secure in-ear fit. Flaky Bluetooth reliability is another knock that keeps the Focal Spark Wireless from challenging some of the top alternatives. Focal Spark Wireless. Apple's AirPods Max Over-Ear Headphones Are Here, and They're Expensive, Getting Static or Crackling in Your AirPods Pro? The result is not the least awkward wireless earphone I’ve used. Of course, it isn’t the most sophisticated style going. If wires aren’t your cup of tea, the $99 Focal Spark Wireless in-ear headphones are a great option. The Focal Spark Wireless have a design that attempts to incorporate the best bits of the main wireless earphones styles. Such issues have rapidly declined in mid-price rivals over the past year or so. (The volume works in conjunction with your mobile device's master volume levels.) The Focal Spark Wireless is available in three color schemes, which is black, silver, and rose gold. However, if you find them online at a decent price, they’re a solid buy. Part way down the left cable, you’ll find a small remote, which features a volume u… We’ll be looking at the wired version today, although you can check out the Focal Spark Wireless review aswell. Focal's Spark Wireless Bluetooth earphones deliver some serious thunder in the bass department. This is how we make money. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene in John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, get more bass boosting than anyone seeking an accurate frequency response will want, but some listeners might enjoy the extra presence this lends to lower register instrumentation. Full Review: https://www.themasterswitch.com/review-focal-spark-wireless But we've tested similarly priced models that deliver more high frequency definition along with the pumped lows. Because it’s wireless via standard Bluetooth, this is aimed particularly at mobile users. The first thing you’ll notice about the headphones is their design, and they look quite nice. Our particular example is the silver version. And if you're looking to spend a little less, the 808 Audio Ear Canz is a solid option for its modest price. #mergeRow-gdpr {margin-top: 20px;} The latest addition to the portfolio is Focal Spark Wireless Headphones. While the cable's surface is a matte rubber, the earpieces and inline compartments have a glossier finish to them. Reviewing audio devices require extensively trained ears and lots of experience. If you’ve spent time in the professional audio industry, Focal is one of those audio brands that will definitely ring a bell as they make some of the most high-end monitor speakers and headphones for the audiophile and pro audio space. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife's "Silent Shout," the earphones deliver a powerful deep bass response and don't distort at top, unwise listening levels. With the right sized tips, the earbuds sit softly and securely in your ears. Sound quality is decent but below the the brilliance you might expect from an old hi-fi hand such as Focal. 11 Nov 2018 0 Earlier this year, I had the chance to check out my first set of headphones from french audio outfit Focal. Focal spark wireless is an amazing pair of earphones but a really bad set of wireless earphones. 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. This compartment also houses the micro USB connection for the included (but very short) micro USB charging cable. The Focal Spark Wireless is a comfortable Bluetooth headset. The Bluetooth is 4.1 and aptX so carries a good quality audio file, in principle. 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. The design is very basic, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s high-mid emphasis favors music with vocals and acoustic instruments like folk and singer songwriter music. Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the general sound signature. There’s conspicuously less texture and detail in the mids than the emphasised treble too, which leaves some guitar music sounding a little flat. Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020. Surprisingly, the snap-shut rubber cover that protects the micro USB port popped off—not open—fairly easily in testing, actually separating itself from the compartment altogether. The inline mic offers so-so intelligibility. But we've tested similarly priced models that deliver more high frequency definition along with the pumped lows. Let’s get into the details: Focal's Spark Wireless Bluetooth earphones deliver some serious thunder in the bass department. The Skullcandy Jib Wireless and the JBL Reflect Mini BT are both winners, while the more expensive Jaybird X3 is worth the higher price if you have room in your budget. Focal Spark Wireless Earphones review: No Spark. The Focal Spark Wireless earphones deliver a bass-forward sound signature that would benefit from more high-mid presence. Verified Purchase. I used this product three times a week for my commute to work. Instead, you get a beefed up sustain for the drum loop, which gets plenty of low frequency boosting. As I mentioned I did receive a wired pair of Focal Spark that are finished in Cobalt Blue though this is not an option for the wireless version. At $99, they also offer a secure, lightweight fit and are easy to … A plastic block sits by the back of your neck – it appears to hold the battery – while a familiar second brick is home to the three buttons that make up most headphone remotes. Even though my iPhone has a headphone jack, the Focal Spark Wireless will allow you to live without. Overview – Focal Spark Wireless Earphones Review Overall, the Focal Spark Wireless earphones have a good sense of depth to them, and lots of great clarity in the midrange. The mids are clearer, making them more comfortable genre-hoppers. The vocals are clear enough but lack their typical crispness. The Focal Spark Wireless are mid-priced wireless earphones for those who hate the neckband style of rival pairs, but don’t want the so-so battery life of sets with earpieces joined by a near-naked wire. Focal Spark wireless. The bass is there for power and punch, the treble injection for clarity and a sense of overt detail. However, the Focal Spark Wireless aim for a more mass market appeal. The Focal Spark Wireless are mid-price Bluetooth earphones. They keep the sleek metallic look found on the original Focal Spark headphones, though obviously the cable instead wraps around your neck. This time, we’re trying out Spark Wireless ($99), the Bluetooth version of Focal’s entry-level headphone range. 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. Focal is a relatively new brand in the arena of headphones. Focal includes three pairs of silicon eartips (S, M, and L), a battery clip (it looks more like a magnetic cable cinch, but it allows you to fasten the compartment to your shirt while exercising), the aforementioned charging cable, and a small zip-up case. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. 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. Your subscription has been confirmed. These aren’t earphones that you’d be comfortable wearing round your neck all day, even when not in use. The Spark Wireless headphones are available in silver, black, and rose gold. Listening to the Focal Spark Wireless next to the SoundMagic E10BT, they make the E10BT sound a little treble-shy and soft at the top end, but the SoundMagic earphones have a more even spread of detail across the frequency range. The in-ear fit is lightweight, secure, and comfortable, unless of course, you're not into the idea of a neckband in the first place. I was happy with all groups of music and speech and if you are looking for a lightweight set of wireless earbuds with six to eight hours of use between charges then this set should be added to your shortlist. The treble is a little hard, at times verging on brash, giving some voices a harsh edge. The drums on this track sound thunderous—they get a pretty heavy helping of deep bass response for quite a bit more thump than usual. © 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. He specializes in reviewing audio products, and is obsessed with headphones, speakers, and recording gear. I know Focal as primarily a maker of hi-fi speakers, which leads to certain expectations when it comes to sound. Available in black, white-and-silver, or white-and-rose gold, the earphones feature a flat, linguini-like neckband and earpieces that sport the Focal logo on the metallic end caps. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. These are wireless in-ear headphones and offer excellent value for money. AirPods Max vs. AirPods Pro: What's Apple's Best Pair of Noise-Cancelling Headphones? There’s a solution to the slippage issue, though. You can read my full review of the Focal Spark wired earphone to get a more detailed idea of the sound signature of this amazing little device. Despite its large-ish size, the battery block doesn’t weigh too much, and also doesn’t bounce around erratically if you’re wearing the Focal Spark Wireless while running. A little magnetised clip lets you anchor the Focal Spark Wireless to clothing. 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. The Focal Spark Wireless headphones deliver a bass-forward sound signature that would benefit from more high-mid presence. Light, slight and neckband-free, they’re well suited to those who like their earphones minimalist in style – but not so minimalist that you’re left with just a couple of earpieces and a battery life of three hours. AirPods Pro vs. AirPods 2: Which True Wireless Apple Earbuds Are Better? Focal's Spark Wireless Bluetooth earphones deliver some serious thunder in the bass department. Eric Frederiksen. Focal have kept both camps of listeners happy with the release of the Spark ($69) and Spark Wireless ($99). #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width:100%;} Apple AirPods Max vs. Bose NC 700 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Should You Pay More for AirPods? The Focal Spark Wireless is the Bluetooth version and it costs just $30. PCMag Digital Group. 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