Positive Grid Spark Go vs. Mini vs. 40 -Which is best?

Mic'd test of Spark's lineup with guitar and music
Gear:
Positive Grid Spark Mini
amzn.to/43oJMEV
Positive Grid Spark 40
amzn.to/43jQs77
Spark Airsep Footswich
amzn.to/3WuiGtt
10ft Summing Cable with resistors
amzn.to/3OtZt9u
1/8 Stereo to 1/4 Stereo Cable
amzn.to/3pW8u0G
1/8 Stereo to RCA cable
amzn.to/45lM6y1
Wireless Guitar Transmitter Receiver
amzn.to/3MPxoIx
Shure SM57 Microphone
amzn.to/422pGPF
Yorkville NX55p Powered P.A. Speaker
amzn.to/43oKeTD
Behringer 12 Channel Mixing console with in-line compressors
amzn.to/45h5ZX0

[@illyaswan]

Very helpful review. Feels unbiased and feedback coming from an actual user and not a salesman/presenter. Thanks for doing this! Must have been a pain in the ass to set this all up.

[@YourGearSucks]

hah it helps i have a working content creation studio - setting it up was easy pretty much.. i'll do a studio tour soon.. thanks!

[@gdb-u6h]

Thanks so much for this video. I am swinging between Mini and Go. I doubt if there is enough low end in the Go and this video had answered it clearly. I will get the Mini. thanks again!

[@YourGearSucks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sopedro01]

Mini is a game changer. I had a spark 40 and sold it Now i bought a mini and I'm very happy with it as a practise amp or a BT speaker. Thanks for the video.

[@Milo_ridesTX]

Awesome video. I'm enjoying my GO very much. I'm sold on getting the mini now.

[@YourGearSucks]

thanks a bunch.. next one I'm gonna do is how to turn your Spark amps into a stage amp.

[@Milo_ridesTX]

@@YourGearSucks nice! I look forward to it

[@2musiclover534]

40 just sounds too muffled, a well known problem. I'm very surprised that Positive Grid has not fixed the issue after all this time it's been out.

[@YourGearSucks]

I don't think it's as much an issue as it is an intentional trade off. If you think about it, the 40 also has to double like a bluetooth speaker - full range. A typical guitar amp speaker only reproduces a limited narrow range but since the 40 has to do both guitar and music, so the Spark 40 has to have hardware in there that does both relatively well - speakers that reproduce 6K+ and as well as sub bass. The low end can be shelved off, or you can use a summing cable to send it into a cab or PA to get better control over it, but on the music side, the speakers sound great for music - something I think they didn't want to compromise on. The downside is that speakers that reproduce full range at that size also make the guitar sound a bit boomy.

[@2musiclover534]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm not being critical in spirit. I forgot to mention - my comparison is simply with the Spark Mini. Mini sounds a whole lot better. This is not the only review demonstrating that.

[@YourGearSucks]

@@2musiclover534 yep you're 100% not wrong - if loudness isn't the deal-breaker, the Mini is definitely more balanced sound-wise - not to mention more portable and funny enough, has more features.

[@2musiclover534]

@@YourGearSucks Wow, the Mini has more features? May I ask how so? I actually just purchased a Mini and have not gotten around to figure it out yet. And I'm playing just as a small 1 person practice amp so it is plenty loud. I'm sure in time I'll get a full sized amp down the road. Thanks again.

[@YourGearSucks]

@@2musiclover534 check out my next video.. the Mini actually allows you to switch between a mono output or a stereo headphone output... the 40 doesn't.. details are in the new vid "play your Go on stage"

[@iamdesimone]

I’m really torn between the mini and the go. I love the concept of the go and being able to just throw it in your pocket with headphones and walk around the house, and it sounds pretty great by itself. It fits in the guitar case, it’s perfect. But for 100 more you get a nice deal amp that sounds better and louder than the go. The dilemma!

[@YourGearSucks]

I say go with the mini. You can get a $2 lunch bag from the dollar store to put it in, and can use a carabiner to attach it to your case. The go is great when you want a stage preamp through a DI or really need to conserve space. But as a standalone amp it is very much for just practicing, or headphone use.

[@DinzeLord]

did you made your choice? I'm in the same situation... I want the sound of the Mini whit the size of the Go...I wish these product is avalable in store to be able to try it

[@iamdesimone]

@@DinzeLord I went with the mini and couldn’t be happier. It’s perfect

[@DinzeLord]

@@iamdesimone I think I will go whit the mini too

[@iamdesimone]

@@DinzeLord it’s worth every damn penny. Especially if you can find a used one

[@stephandelaney4097]

Returning my GO for a MINI. go speaker too small sounding Owned a 40 but want some portability

[@YourGearSucks]

Yeah I have both.. the go is for like train rides and quiet public spots.. the Mini is the way to go tho.

[@chyld7]

Great video man. I’m enjoying my spark go so much using it in my lives. After watching your video I should’ve bought the mini.

[@YourGearSucks]

Why not both! depending on where you live, you can find a lot of decently priced Minis on the used market given they are a year old. I have two Minis because one came up used on my local market for a crazy deal price. So i keep one in the studio and one for travelling. Keep your eye out on facebook marketplace.

[@chyld7]

thank you for the input.

[@TheDarkmore]

Is it worth to connect the Go to a PA system or amp+cab for rehearsals and use it as a multieffect with the footswitch? Oh, OK you already gave an answer in the video, thank you!

[@YourGearSucks]

hah yah.. glad i could help.. for those who want to watch it kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWe0oamKn9iMg6s

[@ButeSound]

How you Mic up the Go is q critical, centimetres can alter tone or bass from proximity effect etc.

[@ninjasword2352]

The Mini sounds so clear and it has a bit of high mids or higher quality sound, it sounds good.

[@YourGearSucks]

Mini is best bang for buck for sure.

[@robertclarkguitar]

I wish i had a spark seires amp. Even the go to compare to the mooer hornet 05i. That little hornet im working on a video yet as well as p2 prime both Mooer...Has a bit more features over the go and looper sync to drum machine is pretty cool in 80 sec looper mode. The sounds are incredible too. Apms cabs effects BT and all. Anyway Subbed 202. Keep it up!! You have a nice studio lighting back drop for sure. That is easy on the eyes. Great start. Peace!!!

[@YourGearSucks]

Yah that mooer one is super cool! The looper function is clutch! Looking forward to your video on it. Thanks for the sub. Subbed back!

[@robertclarkguitar]

NEY THANK YOU MAN. CHEERS!!!​@@YourGearSucks

[@thawthaw03]

Sold 40 and got go now thinking of mini. Yes ?

[@YourGearSucks]

@@thawthaw03 depends on what you're looking to do with it. If you want a fantastic battery powered practise amp that doubles as a preamp for stage. The mini is the great iotion

[@thawthaw03]

@@YourGearSucks thanks 🙏

[@andrewrobinson2565]

I feel the volume on your phone is too high when you play the music through the three Sparks - all three recordings are saturated. Still, the comparisons are valid 👍. Thanks for the vid. It will affect my purchase decision ✅.

[@YourGearSucks]

True!.. it was an of the cuff video and I promise the audio balancing will be better in future videos.. thanks for the feedback.

[@sabrinacz]

1:32 40 2:28 mini 3:45 go

[@YourGearSucks]

Thanks!

[@thefix-itguyreviewer8151]

It's cool that you did this but it's just not accurate. The SM57s or any type of microphone like that ( has a colored frequency response.. so you're hearing the color of the microphone at the same time ) Do you want me to hear and get a good sound about what each amplifier sounds like you would need a very high quality VERY FLAT MICROPHONE THAT REPLICATES THE HUMAN HEARING. The flatter the better. And you obviously have to make sure nothing's clipping it sounded like when you were doing the 40 w it was flubbing out and clipping and I know it wasn't the speakers I bet did not sound like that in person. So I don't know how valid this would be versus in person. I bet it sounds a lot different when you're in front of them. Check the clipping when you were doing the spark 40 Watt something was wrong

[@YourGearSucks]

Appreciate the insight and I agree. The audio recording could have been better. Given it was my first video I just set it up to demonstrate some basic differences between the amps for a Facebook group. Didn't expect it to get thousands of views or attention. So I didn't monitor the 57 levels as good as I should have but doing so in subsequent videos. I used a 57 as it's one of the most common used in studios and a home to mic up amps but definitely considering a more flat faced one going forward. Cheers.

[@PeterBalletta]

I have the 40 and the Mini....I'll pass on the Go, sounds too tinny....

[@YourGearSucks]

Yah to be honest.. unless you need an ultra portable micro-amp, preamp you're probably in the right headspace with that conclusion.

[@heydudeyt]

Thanks for the good comparison :)

[@YourGearSucks]

thanks.. it was quick and sloppy but it did what it was supposed to I think - next one will be more polished

[@heydudeyt]

@@YourGearSucks ☝️🤘

[@joethompson2910]

I’m sorry… I was doing other things while listening to this, and I may have missed this part of the video, but do they all sound the same plugged into an external power amp and speaker? Thank you and sorry if I missed that.

[@YourGearSucks]

Yes! One caveat. The Go and Mini can be switched to Mono out via the app whereas the 40 cannot so you need a summing cable to do the same (and get the same kind of signal). I explain in the video.

[@badwhiting]

I want either the mini or the go as a guitar amp and as a blu-tooth speaker for outside, but you did not say which was the better unit for streaming music from your phone. Could you let me know?

[@YourGearSucks]

operationally they both work the exact same, and allow similar controls - however teh mini sounds fantastic, much better than the go as it's bigger and louder, naturally. SO if size isn't an issue for you, go with the mini.

[@siyaram2855]

PG isn't there in my country. Someone will bring it from Europe when they will come in vacation. This would be my first amp. Which one would you recommend? I have home theater speakers, Can I use Spark Go with them from headphone output? I am really confused. Since I would be playing mostly though the software presets built in. I love john mayer, srv, bb king. They are the reason I got my first electric guitar, I have playing acoustic fit 10years. Can one be creative with Go also like playing a backing tracking or something with Bluetooth and jam together? Your response Can be really helpful. Please help me out. Waiting for your reply.🙏

[@siyaram2855]

P.S: Also I would be mostly playing in home and sometime outdoors like terrace or backyard

[@YourGearSucks]

I would 100% go with the Mini. It's great sounding and loud enough and has a battery built in. The 40 does not. The Go is if you absolutely have to have a ultra light solution. All three can be plugged into your home stereo and sound the same, so for portability and sound the Mini is the way to go.

[@siyaram2855]

@@YourGearSucks thanks

[@tritontr21]

I just sub"d for channel name alone.

[@YourGearSucks]

Haha it pays to be cheeky!

[@DSTerry61]

I have a 40 watt and mini should I get a Go discuss.?

[@YourGearSucks]

Depends.. I got the go because I have a tiny portable headless guitar I take travelling with me - I only do carry-on so low weight is essential for me. The go fits into the cable pocket of that guitar's gig bag. But If you don't do much minimalist travelling, the mini is totally adequate and portable enough not to mention sounds a lot better.

[@pipedream690]

Excellent video even though you sound drunk!

[@YourGearSucks]

Haha totally wasted 😜