Well, I know exactly what it would do, just in a different form factor than the 40, mini, Go and all of the rest of the Spark line up. It would do the same thing. Now it’s just in a wireless headset.
I don’t have any of them,
I assume it can stream from a phone or laptop and adds pedal an amp efects?
This review makes it sound pretty good:
Positive Grid Spark NEO review – possibly the best Spark amp yet
This looks pretty cool. I look forward to any/all real world reviews from you guys. Other than the wireless functionality, I wonder if it is much different than plugging headphones into Spark Mini?
Not sure about laptop but phone and tablet for sure. The cool thing about Spark is that you use the same Spark app for all Spark models. On the Boss products you need separate apps for each model.
Cool, I haven’t bothered looking at them previously because of the cost, but looking at this it seems worth considering.
Helps that I am also looking at headphones or earbuds currently, so it may be a 2 for 1
Ok I spent about 20 mins on it. It’s not bad, absolutely no latency issues, none. No signal drop, as the Waza has some here and there, this one is just solid.
Unlike other Sparks I own, this one does not show my preset, unless I’m missing something. The tone and effects are as expected from the top 3 effects and amp modeling in the market. I can see myself enjoying this on a guitar solo. It has pretty deep library of effects and modeling.
Set up is pretty simple, just connect the headphone then the transmitter, then the audio (BT) then you are in business.
What I like
Price-it’s probably the cheapest one out there at $200. You definitely get a lot for the money and this thing looks like a $500 get up with black and gold.
Convenient package- it’s plug and play, one time setup then turn on the app and devices and start playing.
Tuner- I’m a self admitted snob when it comes to tuner, I love my strobe tuners, this is so cool the UI is exceptional.
No new app to download, I have 5 Spark products and one app. I have 6 or 7 Boss apps on my phones, it’s just ridiculous.
So far that’s the impression.
Ok What I don’t like so far
-You probably need to break it in, it’s squeezing pretty tight, and the 40mm driver is not exactly spacious. Compare to Waza, Waza is comfortable right out of the box.
-It’s not a Waza Air killer, Boss is clunky but it’s a solid performer.
-I know it’s the licensing thing, but man they really expect you to know what the brand of amp head suppose to look, I know I can tell for sure the Orange, and the Fishman the rest is pretty foggy. So I got to go back and refresh my knowledge on what these amps do.
-The audio quality is “OK”, it’s a practicing tool not an audiophile device, but I definitely prefer it to be a bit louder. I have not plug that in to my Active basses yet I tried it with my Modded Squier Bronco bass with the guitar pickup.
-While it’s a great practice bass headphone, it’s not exactly designed especially for bassists. You’d quickly feel like a second class citizen.
That’s what I’ve got so far. I can tell you this though, I’d be tagging this along with me more than the double the price Waza because I know for the fact that Positive grid would not hesitate to warranty this unlike Boss.
I’ll keep you update.
And here is me telling myself to save up for an amp later in the year.
This is a supplemental tool and not essential. If you want or must have a quiet practice this is a great route. Nothing beats the sound waves hitting your body while playing.
Highly recommend the Katana 110. Best bang for the bucks.
Great overall initial summary, thank you muchly. I play more guitar then bass (forgive me, it was the first instrument I was interested in as a teenager).
In terms of the volume, I remember the Go didn’t seem that loud, then they did a firmware update and now that little sucker can scream on a dirty guitar tone. Perhaps the same will happen with the Neo. I know generally speaking, guitar tones on the Go are louder compared to bass.
I’m keen to get the Neo as I primarily play headphones and I’m regularly getting the lead and headphone wires tangled. A local shop has 10% off so could get for $315 Australian.
Where is that mate?
(Are you on the Google map yet?)
Cool, @Al1885. Thanks for your insights.
The only thing I take exception with are the price of a Waza Air-Bass (I got mine for $319), and I don’t experience any dropout with my Waza system.
I definitely agree that the Waza headset is hella comfy right out of the box and the bass reproduction is exceptionally good. Additionally, no problem at all getting ear-splitting volume out of those puppies.
The fact is everyone is free to pick whichever practice headphones solution they choose. But at the end of the day, I’m way glad I got my Waza.
I have great headphones, so no need for something new, but if I had the need I would not get it cause of what you wrote above, @Al1885 !
I the end it’s all about having good sound, in my opinion.
Also, it’s 2.4Ghz - which is known to have challenges with WIFI signals.
I have Lekato MS-1 (also 2.4GHz) for my Headphones and Harley Benton AirBorne 5.8GHz Instrument for my bass. While not as covenient, as I need multiple devices, I can choose whatever component I use for any specific use case … and still have great head phones (for monitoring etc.).
Bottom line is: I would prefer the Boss Katana Go for a mobile use case, as I can use my own headphones AND it can be used as a poor man’s DAW.
It shows as full price, but when you put in your cart it takes off 10% automatically. Offer ends Sunday and is good for any guitar gear.
Nice, I’ve still only got my Rumble 15 that came in the Squire starter pack.
Well let me make my correction, overall volume can be screaming especially on the guitar with the gain knob. On the bass I don’t want any drive so i roll the gain off. If everything is turned up it will be loud.
Yes I got mine at a really good deal too. I could have picked up the Neo at $170 if I ordered it with my GC rep but I didn’t want to wait till.
The WAZA drop out is mainly at home, ever since I leave it at my restaurant I’ve not experienced any drop at all.
Quick update about comfort, I’m having my coffee and putting this puppy on and trying to go through the amp selection. While listening to music. It feels pretty good now that I spent some time adjusting it. It still more snug than the WAZA.
Here’s the list of the amp it modeled after
Also the AI is pretty dope. You type in the tone you are looking for and it spits out 4 variations for you to check out. This gets you I to the ballpark pretty quickly.
Thanks so much for the update, @Al1885. Keep 'em coming. I haven’t used my Spark Mini in awhile, but I do remember there was a “hiss” on some of the presets. Notice anything like that on the Neo? Thanks, Scott
Hey Scott,
Not really any hiss I guess it may come when using the single coil pickups especially on guitars.
While it uses the same general Spark app the Neo has its own firmware updates. I just did that. I couldn’t find the Octave pedal on the list but I’m sure one is available maybe it’s behind the paywall DLC.
Wow! Just plugged into my guitar, I did a little quick AI tone match. Put in Larry Carlton, and Cory Wong, pretty great tone option, both sound great. As you said, the guitar is screamingly loud, if you want it to. If you are getting this for guitars, it would be so awesome.
Awesome, thank you. It might have to go on my birthday wish list this year.