When you test any modern wired headphones, you just want to write at the end, great, thanks, but make a version with Bluetooth! Sales of wireless headphones and speakers are growing from year to year, from year to year, people in companies understand better and better that something needs to be done with the wire. Naturally, cables will not leave the stage, but in a few years it will be Bluetooth models that will become the norm – production is becoming cheaper, codecs and other tricks allow you to transmit sound almost “as is”, which positively affects the quality of listening. Prices are going down. The range is getting wider and wider. The guys from Focal have the right approach – if there is a task to make good inexpensive headphones, let’s immediately release two versions. One with cable, the other with Bluetooth. Hmmm, where to start?

focal?

Let me remind you that Focal is an old respected French company, one of the largest manufacturers of acoustic systems in Europe. As they say, Hi-Fi and everything is as it should be, God bless you. In addition to Utopia space systems, the product range also includes acoustic systems for the home, for families, headphones (both space and more terrestrial).

We have already talked about the Sphear headphone model, I would also advise you to pay attention to wired and wireless Listen headphones – this is a strong five. It is interesting to talk about Focal, and it is especially interesting to see how the company is trying to master the budget segment by releasing the Spark model. Let’s open the box together.

Press materials

Yes, here’s another thing I want to note, when I was looking for materials on Spark, I saw absolutely drop dead official photos – that is, now few people make beautiful shots for journalists using accessories. But here again, hello from France, the shots are amazing, although no one may notice this. It is gratifying that they spent time, found a photographer, picked up models, in general, thanks to Focal for this. In the old days, Nokia was just as furious about official photos and videos, and this was captivating.

Here are some examples.

Focal Spark Wireless – no cable!

Of course, to begin with, I opened the box where the Focal Spark Wireless lay. The flat cable is not tangled, there are two blocks, in one there is a board and a battery, in the second there are control buttons (volume and functions). Aluminum cups, three colors, black, pink, white. Included is a small carrying case, a clip, you can attach the cable to the back of the shirt so that the blocks do not hit you on the neck while running.

The battery lasts about eight hours, and a regular microUSB cable is used for charging. In short, everything here is familiar, usually, but in the course of use, little things pop up and you understand a simple truth, after all, Focal is generally engaged in Hi-Fi equipment and they could not even make simple headphones according to the principle “add to the range and burn everything with fire”.

Oh no. Here, the stroke of the buttons on the block is perfectly matched, and the operating time corresponds to the declared one, and the sound is good. Bluetooth 4.1 profile, no aptX, but the characteristics for small ears are very even: impedance 16 ohms, frequency range 20 Hz – 20 kHz, sensitivity 103 dB, drivers 9.5 with Mylar film.

Everything is somehow cozy and good here, I would only find fault with the plug of the microUSB connector – you shouldn’t throw Spark into the water, so there’s not much to protect here. But every time you charge, you have to pick up the plug and it hurts. It takes about two hours to charge, of course, you can use any external batteries on the road. The light indicator on the battery pack is very, very cool – the dot is recessed into the case, it is clearly visible if you know where to look. It does not attract attention and it’s cool.

Focal Spark – with cable!

Hmmm, well, after such beauty, does it make sense to look at the Focal Spark with a cable? Yes, because they cost 3490 rubles, while the wireless version is almost twice as expensive, 6999 rubles. The price is always the most effective argument, especially since the wired Focal Spark has a convenient remote control that works with both iOS and some Android gadgets. For example, the main button works with the Sony Xperia XZ Premium – Play / pause, answer a call, and the volume buttons also work. As in the wireless version, there is a good microphone, even if it’s noisy around, you can communicate using the remote control and not take out your phone.

Compared to many other models in this price category – a breath of oxygen, especially if you take a listen after other “budgets”. Aluminum cups are in place, a good package, design – there is another not very noticeable trifle, see how the logo is engraved and how the mesh is installed. A glance. And the sound of wired Focal Spark pleased, I listened to both versions on the iPhone 7 Plus.

Let’s listen

The emitters were clearly chosen in such a way that any person would simply listen and be happy. A few points noticed when using the wired and wireless model with the iPhone 7 Plus. Firstly, an impressive volume reserve, about half of the indicator was enough for comfortable listening. It is gratifying that the adjustment is synchronized, that is, from the buttons of the headphones, from the iPhone, the same indicators are everywhere.

Sometimes, after all, it happens that you need to increase the volume on your smartphone, and then also press the buttons. Secondly, lovers of mega-bass will not like the model, although I did not twist the equalizer additionally. The creators had a task to make a warm and cozy sound for the majority of consumers, which was achieved, as expected, God bless you. Thirdly, spend five minutes on the selection of nozzles. The kit comes with regular silicone products, but if you choose the right ones, they can give you more sound.

Verdict

You can safely buy which model – with or without wires – decide for yourself. The issue price is nice, 3490 or 6990 rubles, nowadays these are budget accessories. Wireless Focal Spark are brilliant, despite the abundance of headphones in the household, I went for a week and did not break off. They work for a long time, sound great, sit comfortably, fold into a miniature ball and can be hidden in the smallest pocket, good for public transport, because there are no wires hanging on the stomach. Pink wired Focal Spark is not a shame to give a girl – after all, Focal, after all, is a very difficult brand. The test of strength in the budget genre was definitely a success.