Free a Rillpac zip carrying case.
- Focal completes its range of headphones with a brand new in–ear: Spark
- Focal has designed Spark to make quality sound accessible to as many people as possible
- The design of Spark has been studied to make it a stylish and lightweight product
- Silicone earplugs, flat anti–tangle cable and the rigid carrying case make it easily accessible and very practical to use
- Spark offers the perfect sound for music from all music platforms in the modern age of streaming and downloading
The Spark in-ear headphone is a new offering from Focal into an already crowded market. With so many choices for consumers, how is one to decide what to buy? What sets the Focal Spark apart from the competitors? Is it a worthy addition to your daily listening routine? Keep reading to find out why the Focal Spark in-ear headphone earned a Top Pick Award for 2017.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Impedance: 16Ohms
- Sensitivity: 103dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Driver: Electrodynamic 9.5mm Mylar
- Mic: Omnidirectional
- Weight: 14g
- Connectors: 3.5mm jack
DESIGN
The design of the Focal Spark in-ear headphones is simple and elegant. The pair I reviewed were black with silver accents. They are also available in silver, and there is a blue cobalt color that will be available mid to late July.
The Spark in-ear headphones are very tiny and lightweight, and yet they feel very solidly built. The body is black, it appears to be made of plastic, but I’m not really sure about that. It could be aluminum, either way; it has the feel of a quality build to it. There is an aluminum finish on the outer part of the headphone with the Focal logo stamped out and what appears to be a mesh behind it. I would assume that the mesh is for the purpose of air flow for the speaker inside.The ear tips are translucent, which give you an interesting glimpse of the structure underneath. There is a flat anti-tangle cable and an inline control as well. These headphones may be small, but they offer huge style.
The fit and comfort was also very good on the Spark in-ear headphones. I do wish that the cable was over the ear to give better support, as I noticed that the earphones did tend to slip out of position during times of greater activity. They never came completely out of the ear but did require readjustment if I was walking fast or jogging. Having an over the ear cord is just preference on my part, I tend to have issues with in-ears fitting me properly. With that said, the Spark in-ear headphones are one of the best fits I have been able to find in an in-ear.
SOUND
The sound that the Focal Spark in-ear headphones reproduce is on par with most over the ear headphones that I have used. It is well balanced with just a bit more bass than treble or midrange. The treble is not as bright as it could be, but it is only barely noticeable and by no means a deal breaker. Midrange sounds just fine, and the bass really comes through in a head pounding sort of way. It’s not so overpowering that it will give you a headache, but if definitely lets its presence be known. If you like bass, these headphones should fit the bill just fine.
The sound isolation provided by the ear tips is more than adequate to offer a nice quiet environment for peacefully listening to your music. All in all, the sound of the Spark in-ear headphones is excellent and should bring a smile to the face of even the most discerning amongst us.
RECEPTION/CALL QUALITY
I dislike taking calls with headphones on, at least in public. When I’m at home I don’t mind using headphones for calls; it’s not rude when in the privacy of my home. I made a few calls, and I found that the call quality of the Focal Spark in-ear headphones was spectacular. The sound was better than I expected. It was so good I almost felt as if I was sitting in the same room with the other person. Their voice sound very natural, there was no echo, and ambient sound was not a problem. The other person thought I had gotten a new phone because the call quality was much better than usual. If you like taking calls with your earphones in, the Spark in-ear headphones will not disappoint.
PRICE/VALUE
The Focal Spark in-ear headphones have a price of $69.00 USD. For that price, you really can’t go wrong.
WRAP UP
There are lots of other options, but I think what sets the Spark in-ear headphones apart is that there are so many things in the design that Focal got just right. They are very compact, comfortable, lightweight, and stylish. Most importantly the Spark in-ear headphones have an excellent sound with just the right amount of emphasis on the bass. In my opinion, the Spark in-ear headphones will fill all the wants and needs of most people that are looking for a new set of in-ear headphones.
