Positive Grid Spark a Little Big Amp!!!

Following the success of the Spark 40, its smaller 10W sibling, the Spark Mini, offers a comparably bold array of sounds and features in an even more portable format. And guess what? It delivers massive sound quality.

Guitarists now have a plethora of high-quality practice amps to choose from, a far cry from the days of limited options like the Gorilla combo. Positive Grid’s Spark Mini stands out amidst this abundance, offering a compact 10-watt modeling amp powered by an internal 3,000 mAh rechargeable lithium battery.

Positive Grid made waves with its original Spark 40 combo amp, introducing the concept of a "smart amp" that integrated seamlessly with its Spark App to enhance the player's experience. With the Spark Mini, which is less than a third of the size of its predecessor, the company aims to provide a similar experience in a more compact package. The question remains whether this downsized version can deliver the same level of performance and features as its larger counterpart.

Visually, the Spark Mini maintains the sleek Tolex and gold piping design of its predecessor, available in black or pearl Tolex options. The detachable handle adds to its portability, making it an amp you'll want to take with you wherever you go.

Compared to the mains-powered Spark 40, the onboard controls of the Spark Mini are significantly streamlined, featuring only guitar and streamed audio volumes along with four preset buttons. The Bluetooth pairing button also serves as a tuner activation, emphasizing the amp's reliance on the Spark app for tone customization and preset management.

Despite its small size, the Spark Mini packs a punch, delivering surprisingly loud sound output with impressive bottom end, thanks in part to its 2 x 2” custom-designed speakers and passive radiator. The amp's stereo sound capabilities make it suitable not only for guitar practice but also as a mobile speaker for music streaming.

With a wide range of onboard effects including Noise Gate, Compressor, Distortion, Modulation/EQ, Delay, and Reverb models, as well as a diverse selection of guitar amp models ranging from classic clean to crushing high gain, the Spark Mini offers extensive tonal versatility.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the relatively quiet headphone output, which may require a firmware update to address. Despite this, the Spark Mini's wealth of features, including its integration with the Spark app, access to the ToneCloud for user-generated presets, and Smart Jam functionality for generating backing tracks, make it a compelling option for guitarists seeking a versatile and portable practice solution.

Verdict

In every scenario and with various source materials, the Spark Mini consistently impressed us with its robust sound and extensive array of audio capabilities.

Pros

+Compact stereo design, delivering expansive and intricate sound quality. Abundance of built-in amp models and effects, with additional options accessible through the ToneCloud community. Bluetooth and USB audio functionalities enhance versatility even further.

SPEC

OUTPUT: 10 watts
SPEAKERS: 2” custom design (x2), passive radiator
CONTROLS: Four programmable preset selector, guitar channel volume, music channel volume, power button, pair/tuner button
I/O: 1/4” guitar Input, 1/8” aux input, 1/8” headphone/line output. USB-C
ONBOARD EFFECTS: 33 amp models, 43 effects
WIRELESS: Bluetooth 5.0
USB: 1 in x 2 out audio interface, 16-bit/44.1kHz
DIMENSIONS: 5.76” x 4.84” x 6.49”
WEIGHT: 3.3 lbs
BUILT: China

Cons

:none