I LOVED my Spark Amp...then this happened! 

This test is flawed I’m afraid. Behind the grille, the Spark has 2 speakers on the front and a bass port in the middle. The microphone for your test is placed directly in front of the bass port, so the sound of the Spark is clearly more bassy, muffled,and has less high end treble. Therefore, I don’t think your apples to apples test really is an apples to apples test. On that note, the grille is only held on by velcro so you can actually pry it off and, with the Spark being bass heavy often being a criticism of it, you can actually muffle the bass by placing foam, or even a sock, into the bass port hole that makes the Spark jangle more and be less bassy in its sound signature.

Thanks for the video Mark. A very fair side by side example of tube and Spark Amp. I much prefer the sound of the Spark for most of the examples. That's my observation and if I had to choose which one to buy, I'd pick the Spark. Be well, and keep Rocking! Cheers!

Nice Comparison Mark. I have been a spark owner since the beginning. I just ordered the GO as well. I have found that in most cases the Spark out performs most amps of similar cost. Keep up the good work!

Hey Mark, thanks for the comparison! Did not think about a tube amp but am very impressed w/ sound for a practice amp. Another great video-Gary

I like the sound of the Spark, but I'm just a beginner couch player.

Interesting comparison! I have been using my Peavey XXL for years and never gave it a thought to try a tube amp.

I think is fair to compare these amps to highlight the differences in certain situations. I’ve owned a tube amp and I was in love with it, but I moved to another country and had to sell it, then I bought the Spark and I must say I love the versatility it gives you for practicing and playing with sounds and pedals in their app. However I do miss the tube response to my playing dynamics and the warmth a tube gives to you. But for the price and practicing at home, I would say the Spark is marvelous.

I'm an acoustic player but electric has always interested me, this video showed me some more plusses, didn't know about the spark until now. Thanks for this comparison!

I like the tube amp myself, however, both have their applicable places of use. After all, it's about what your preference is, and the music you play. Great review Mark !

NIce video. I just ordered my Spark after owning the Spark mini since it was a preorder. I have a couple of other amps, but my son "borrowed" my only tube amp long ago and I don't expect to see it again in my house. I am not planning to buy another, but you never know.

Thanks! I have a Spark, and am considering buying a real tube amp. In this video, it seems like the tone knob on the two amps are set differently, making it hard to compare the sounds.

You got the microphone right in front of the base port on your spark buddy. You should look behind the speaker grill I put a 57 in front of my left or right speaker on my Spark and it records phenomenally.

Thanks! Good comp! I use a Vox VT100. The only reason I'd consider the Spark is portability.

Really interesting comparison! I'm a Spark fan myself, with a Mini and just now a GO in my possession. That said though, overall I think the tube amp sounded better. The Spark gave a fuller, more rounded tone, but the treble from the tube amp really sang out - making the Spark sounding muddier in almost every example. If I was a better guitarist, I'd try something like this myself, but all I have to work with besides the Sparks, is a Line6 Spider Mk 4 - so another modeling type amp. Thanks Mark! Love the continuing VanGoa contest, by the way - and would love to win one!

Thank you Mark. Interesting.

I’m pretty interested in the spark, it can also be used with Bass and Acoustic too! Pretty all around everything! May not be as crystal clear as a tube unit but the plethora of extras blows everything else out of the water!

They both sound great. I think the tube amp sounded a little better, for the most part. However, with that said, the flexibility of the spark amp still pushes the value proposition better. More flexibility. But man, that tube really sounds good.

I'm newer to your channel and thus far enjoy your content. I liked your head-to-head and the fact you called out how people consume our content matters to the audio comparisons. Well made video and you're a great player. Definitely going to keep following. I could hear the richness in tone from the tube even through my meh PC speakers. Then I used my headphones I use for practicing and you could hear it even more. I can't say I love one MORe than the other but you can definitely hear the difference. I think it's all a matter of personal taste and when you came up playing. I'm 43 and grew up playing tubes because the cheapy modeling amps of the day were not fantastic. But these new modeling amps really make it hard for me as someone who just enjoys playing vs giging to purchase more tube amps.

You need to put the Spark EQ pedal inline and cut the bass tones (maybe some mids too) if you want it to sound like the Monoprice. The power of the Spark is its versatility to be many things; but like everything you have to tweak. Thanks for your videos; I enjoy watching.

As a new Spark 40 owner, my immediate thought upon hearing it was the same as most, does the bass knob go any lower?

My old Peavey Studio Pro 112 has finally kicked the bucket. I was going to purchase the Spark as I live in a Condo, I am unable to play anything loud. But, after hearing this comparison I am not so sure about the Spark.

Nice Rok-Lok usage!

I have the mono price 15. 12 in speaker. Love it. I also have the spark 40. Love it. Two different animals. Oh yeah just bought the spark mini and also pre ordered the spark cab. At $286.00 can't wait

Can I use the SPARK as my head unit and via the Headphone plug run into another cabinet???? IF SO what is the watt output of the SPARK???

My experience of the spark is that the EQ pedal addition was a game changer. Without it i loved the spark and was amazed by how much it made me want to play. But when I quickly swapped between it and a real amp the amp blew it away instantly. So much so that the amp sat on my shelf for a year or so. The EQ pedal addition however gave it so much more controllable presence that it started to sound like a real amp, rather than a device imitating an amp. It still lacks when compared directly, which I put down to the small speakers. The new powered 10 inch cab could be the thing that properly sets this up to compete with a real amp

I pre-ordered the Spark back when it was first announced... I used it for about a year and loved it. But for me, I wanted something I could hook into my PC and edit sounds and record. So I sold the spark on Reverb and got the Boss Katana MKII 100W and couldn't be happier. It sounds AMAZING and I can record both dry and effects direct to my DAW.. and it comes with all the BOSS effect pedals built in! Can't beat that! I don't travel with my amp so portability isn't important to me.

Well I do not have a tube amp and you have given me something to think about. In your experience will the audience notice a difference? Also, have you found a difference in a controlled environment studio or in home versus an outdoor venue?

I would be tempted to compare the 12 inch stage right. In fact, i think about this a lot!

It almost sounded like the Spark muted the sound compared to the tube amp.

Have you tried the Fender Mustang GTX 100?

Very informative video, Mark. I have to say that I loved the tube amp sound, for the most part, but on most of your playing the Spark sounded more like the original recording than the Monoprice. That's just my opinion, listening to it filtered through YT and my studio monitors. But from my limited experience, personally, I love tubes.

Assuming all else was equal, the Tube won by a mile in my ear! Great shoot out. Thanks.

Have you ordered the Spark GO yet???

I have an old Acoustic 30 watt amp and my son brought over his tiny Marshall tube amp. That little thing blew mine out of the water. The difference was incredible. He could get fantastic tone and volume with minimal settings. Then there's the price!

This is a useful test which confirms that some difference still exists between a modelling amp and the real thing. Spark Amp is a fantastic piece of rig, with dozens of iconic amp simulations plus dozen of effects plus a fantastic app and connection possibilities. Something offering incredible opportunities with credible sound tones. A tube amp needs no justifications: it is the sound of rock/blues and all the music we love. No need to choose: both can exist in our music arsenal mostly when budget items produce great sound

Hey Mark, It's funny that you made this video. I had the Spark and the Monoprice 5 watt and I came to the conclusion that I liked the Monoprice better. I sold the Spark to a teenager that was really getting into her guitar lessons. I sold the Spark mainly because I found the new Fender Mustang to have better sounds as a modeling amp then the Spark. I had a Vox NT15 that was awesome but I'm not good enough to get the most out of it so I sold it to a guy that gigs with a band. There's only so much space in a room. However, I kept the Monoprice because it is an inexpensive tube amp that sounds like a tube amp that is plenty loud for my house. Post Covid has been very good to find deals for guitars and amps. I currently have the Boss Katana MKII, Fender Mustang GTX50, and the Monoprice. I think that they all sound better than the Spark. Cheers. Oh, I almost forgot after my long essay, what amps on the Spark did you use to compare?

Hey Mark!!Love your Epiphone SG mine is black!!

Like Mark said, it's hard to know how it really sounds in the room unless you are there, but I was supposed how the stage right sounded way way better on all the high gain licks!

I 100% agree with your observation about listening over phone speakers…. And speakers through which you play an amp matter a lot, too. Was surpised by the mono price amp. That didn’t sound bad at all and price is hard to beat. nice comparison video.

Great Video, thanks for all of your time and effort my friend. I have a question please. I have, and love, my Spark Amp and I want to purchase another one to put somewhere else in my home besides my studio. My question is, can I put (BOTH) of these Amps on the (SAME) I-PAD. Thanks so much for your help...

I think a few of the licks, like Day Tripper, sounded better on the Spark, but the tube amp sounded better in other places. I agree, Mark, you need to hear what these sound like in person with your own guitar before you can make a purchase decision.

For those who wonder, this is Harley Benton Tube 15.

I’ve had a Spark for a couple years. Love it! I rarely use my Blackstar tube amp and pedal board.

As a former owner of an old school Fender tube amp, one that I absolutely adored, I did often find myself having "Marshall envy" at times. Thats the beauty of the Spark; tweaked properly it can sound like either! To me it's a lot like peeps wanting to get into old analog technologies like vinyl albums and old tube receivers. My question is, "Other than nostalgia, why on earth would you want to??". Do you want rabbit ears on your tube TV and a rotary dial phone [only one mind you] in the kitchen again? Not me, no thanks. Been there, done that! LOL

awesome sounding little tube amp

Great video, I have a question about the Sparks and you seem to be a great resource. Over the last 4 years has the Sparks amp come up with new innovations of itself, meaning if I bought a used Sparks amp (say its 3 to 4 years old) would I still get al the features and functions of a new Sparks amp. Be Well.

Just a nugget for thought, even if the spark sounds pretty much as good as the "real" tube Amp, at the end of the day do you want an imitation of an Amp sound or the sound of a real Amp. I love my Vox AC15 and Peavey Duce, they sound "real" to me

I thought the cleans were better on the Spark but the dirtier sounds were a bit ‘muddier’.

i want to build a tube amp. then i wonder if i should just use a amp sim on my laptop and well, i guess then i would at least need a speaker cab.

I forgot to put in my hearing aids when I listened, so I put tnem in and listeened again. "I Feel Fine" sounded more like George Harrison on the Spark, but a tube amp was used on the recording. There was as much difference in sound in each amp with and without hearing aids, as there was between the two amps! Every person hears different things. I am not deaf without my hearing aids, but I have lost a lot in the higher frequencies. Every room is different. Every location in the room is different. Every ear is different. Every amp is different! What my ears hear and like may be quite different for the next person. Buy an amplifier that suits your own needs and your own ears. Buy more than one, if you can, and use different ones for different venues. Sound like yourself! Please yourself!

With the Strat, you seemed to be using different pickups with the two amps, so hard to compare. On the crunch and lead stuff, it sounded like there was cab sim and/or reverb/ambiance ("room sound") coming from the Spark, which made it sound boxy and distant, while the tube amp was more "present" and in-your-face, so it sounded better given that you had actual cab and room sound going from the mic setup. So, not a very fair comparison. In the end, of course the tube amp sounded better to me anyway, but I'm biased. Heh heh...

I do think tube amps have a very classy and unique tone, but a transistor/solid state amp isn't a bad option either. I think especially when using lots of different effects it might be useful to just get an ss amp with pedal effects like the Vox VT-20x or the Spark. Especially for beginners who don't want to buy 12 different pedals for the price of one amp. Something different I found out : Old German tube radios sound amazing when paired with humbuckers

I think they sounded different, and since the speakers and cabinets are different, it was hard to draw any conclusions. I also think the Spark should be miced farther back bc of the difference in speakers and cabinets. Nice comparison.

I'm listening through calibrated headphones using Sonar Works SoundID Reference software. I generally practice on headphones and I've been using amp sim software for the purpose for the last couple of decades. Both amps sounded like small practice amps to me with small speakers. The tube amp sounded boxy to me. IMO the spark did a better job of sounding like a full sized amp with effects. I have a Spark 40 that I'd hoped to use jamming with friends as I thought that 40 watts, even with small speakers would be enough for the job. It's not partially true due to the tube compression effect which makes a 10 watt tube amp sound as loud as a 100 watt solid state amp. The Spark does a great job of emulating a much larger powered amp but the smaller speakers just can't move as much air as a larger speaker. Just not enough piston area. Most of the users including myself, of the Spark 40 complain about the excessive low end in the presets. I heard the problem with your recording, it does make the sound a bit muddy. I do find the spark useful for low volume acoustic practice with my 5 string basses and my baritone electric as well as my guitars but I live in a condo with neighbors just on the other side of the wall which is why I practice with headphones. Unfortunately for me, the Spark 40 fails as a practice tool and doesn't quite do the job as a rehearsal tool that I bought it for. I'm a touring bassist, guitarist, vocalist and recording engineer with over 5 decades of experience and I also have Bias FX 2 and Amp 2 software that I use regularly in my recording work. My biggest gripe is that I can't use any of the tones that I create in those plugins on the Spark. I now have the Line 6 HX Stomp and HX Native software that solve that problem. Since I'm also a singer, I can just take a powered SR speaker with the HX Stomp and all my tones, for all of my instruments to a rehearsal with a minimum of weight lifting. BTW: Really like your vids about 12 string. I recently built one and because I started playing in the mid 60's I just love the jangle...

Certain songs are better on the Spark, and some on the tube. My sound was only as good as the speakers in my hearing aids! 😂👍🏻 It was good to hear something else. I’m stuck on my Vox. Thanks Mark for this great video. I listened again and I’m liking the tube a little better. I’ll give it another listen just to make sure. 👍🏻

The Spark units do not have IR Cabs like other sims do. Not to mention any control over the IR's output signals or mic placement on certain cabs. I run the amps and IR Cabs from my HeadRush MX5 into the Spark Go and just use the FX on the Spark side. It sounds a lot better running the amps and cabs from the HeadRush. Plus this really opens up more versitility as I can use the four presets with different FX chains and can then switch amp and cabs remotely on the MX-5. But now the new Boss IR-2 just came out that I think is going to be the perfect plug in for the Spark. Just no one knows it just yet. But basically that pedal is all the amps and IR cabs from the Boss Katana without all the bloat. Just a simple interface and those amps and cabs and then the Spark can complete the FX chain, mixer etc and still have the user interface and integration. Where the Spark really shines is its interfacing ability. Not only do you have the bluetooth connectivety but you can convert the headphone port to a line out by switching it to mono.

I've had my Spark for quite some time. And I enjoy the hell out of it, I enjoy my Mesa Triple Rectifier but at home the Spark works great in case you have neighbors 😅

It's all about each player. I like the fire brigade visit caused by an old Vox, not all would.

The SR put`s me in mind of an old Gorilla amp LOL. I never paid much attention to the Spark but it did not sound bad at all !

Right off the bat I'm concerned about the "apples to apples" part since the Spark has multiple speakers behind that grill...you can't mic it the same as single speaker combo. Besides which you can do plenty with either amp to influence the EQ

just like clothes. I gotta try before I buy to ensure that just right fit. Cheers Mark I'm back ☮❤

I have a Boss Katana 100, Fender Blues Deluxe, Vox AC30C2, and Friedman BE100 Deluxe with a 2x12 Orange closed back cabinet. I also have a HeadRush with speaker. Being able to turn it on and play around for a few minutes here and there the HeadRush is perfect, but I do this in my living room so I can’t leave it laying around all the time defeating the practicality. Bought a Spark 40 and it sits on the table. Bought another one to leave at my buddy’s house and got a Mini so we had a second amp to jam with here or there. I also use the Mini as a Bluetooth speaker when I watch RU-vid on my iPad. The tube amps are better. I like the HeadRush more, but the Spark is the one that’s out of the way for a quick practice or jam. The app has some great features, and you can connect to a Spark at a guitar store to demo a guitar with the amp you have experience with at home instead of something you aren’t familiar with and need to spend most of your time playing with the amp to get a tone you like out of an eight inch solid state whatever.

the spark 40 is severly let down by its speakers, I'm hoping the Spark Cab will give the Spark a new opportunity to shine. Will you be testing the Spark Cab?

Just recently rented a 12 string from long & mcquade, an Epiphone Songmaker DR-212. Absolutely in love with the sound that it produces, It would be a true blessing to be entered in the giveaway & an honor to win. Just discovered your content today while looking into 12 string theory & love what you're doing!

Both sound good to me.

Valves for life!

The technology is what’s worth the money.. To be able to get the sounds you want from the tone cloud, no more messing with pedals trying to get the right sound.. getting the right sound with a push of a button is worth the price of admission alone in my opinion

I think that you put the microphone at the bass port of the spark... instead, for me, the spark sound better with low volume, and you can use more preset, the good side for the tube amp is that the more volume, must be sound better than the spark, but with a summ cable or with a better micro setup... I think that in venues I carry the spark and a foot controler 😂

I think the tube amp sounded much better. But I have a Spark, and I'm enjoying it. The great thing is, you don't have to stick with the same amp forever! Or, you could also have two!

The Spark would require the use of the EQ, that or compare with a room mic about 6feet from both amps , because mic placement plays a big role in the sound you capture, The Spark can be set up to sound exactly like your tube amp, but your tube can only do one amp, whereas the Spark can do many amps.

One thing I could clearly hear was the small speakers on each. The larger driver on the monoprice made a huge difference in the sound, but you could still hear "small cab." Having said that, the trebles on the spark were distinctly low, in all three comparisons. No, I don't think the spark will stand up to a tube amp with a well-matched cab but there's one thing we ALL need to remember... "Perfect is the mortal enemy of 'good enough'"

In my opinion, the clean sound was clearly the best on the Spark. However, as you went for more tone breakup, the Monoprice emerged as better. But again, that is also situationally dependent.

You should have just spent the 50 extra bucks on the 15 watt Monoprice amp with the 12 inch speaker. Sounds much better than that little junk Monoprice amp. And as someone else pointed out, the spark has 2 speakers but you didn't mic either one, you mic'd the bass port. Take the grill off, it's only held on by velcro, then you'll see where the speakers are, they're not in the middle.

Tube amp way better More chime ,articulation & balance. The Spark Amp sounded like it had a blanket over it ( muffled) The Day Tripper riff sounded close to the record but George used a Gibson 345 on that track..

I'm primarily an acoustic player but I really enjoyed this video.

I don’t have a tube amp or positive grid so I would need both to make a fair comparison

I feel like they really are different tools for different jobs.

They both sounded good to me but that is more of a complement to the guitar player than the equipment.

I own 2 spark amps, but I don't consider myself a FANboy. To my ears the Spark wins hands down. It's just more full, and smooth. The rube amp was a bit harsh for me. I was listening using a pair of in ear monitors.

The closest all solid state.. tube modelling amp that I have used is a Line 6 Duoverb.. It really nails the way that tube amps clip...Its almost impossible to tell the difference in a live setting.... Its worth noting that when line 6 were developing the digital modelling back in the late 90s....that they blindfolded respectable musicians and let them play the model and the real thing... Many could not tell which was the real... So if they were so good then.. how much better can it be now considering how these musicians were so baffled as to which they were playing through???

Obviously there's a personal taste aspect to this, but to my ears, the Spark sounds considerably better. I'm very much considering a Spark Go and a Spark Cab. I don't play much electric in my set, and hauling a tube amp and a pedal board for it feels more hassle than I want.

I've tied my friends Spark 40 nAnd the Monoprice both. Both are good but for different things.

Both sound okay. The Spark seems more convenient and needs less devices to get different sounds

your tube was best but can you play a bass thru it ?

But the Spark was not created to replace a tube amp, it's a modern solution for guitar players that cannot play loud tube amps in apartments or are always on a go, at the same time it could be a budget saver, since you have many presets, pedals and amp model that do a decent job replicating the original. I have tried most desktop amps in the market and I think the Spark is the best, the only downside si that you need to fiddle wit the app most of the time, but once you set it up to your liking its a great "Tool". Ps. I still like my ENGL head.

I hear a big difference. The Stageright sounds good, the Spark doesn't sound good to me.

I prefer the spark, greetings 😊🇩🇪

I have a small space with lots of people around. My Spark 40 sits on a lamp table and I use it daily. My small Blackstar tube amp gets very little love…

My vote is the Spark

The Spark sounds phasey. I think putting the mic in between the 2 speakers is a bad placement. Also the bass port is in the middle. This shows up more with the distortion adding high frequencies. That said, the result isn't too surprising. The Spark is a very small cabinet, and sounds like it.

My honest opinion 1 if on a budget or buying for a beginner you cannot go wrong with purchasing digi present. 2 mono is better than digital it's louder but really to get all the effects on like what these digi amps will cost a packet. Especially buying boss pedals for example or just a great looper like the ditto+ can cost around 100 pounds just for one pedal. Most people except for musicians will not notice the difference straight away.like you have shown in this video. 2 one thing that I never see but should see is a graphic equaliser pedal used before any digi amp this makes a hell of a difference and would advise to buy one as next purchase if starting fresh. What I really hate is some muscians use these digi amps and software to make music. This has really been a bug knowing just by listening it doesn't sound nowhere close to a basic amp aulti effects unit but since line 6 broke the mould back in mid 90s the technology seemed to move towards a swiss army style all in one products than just having one good sturdy knife that might only do one thing but does it job 100%. If you want the best invest in the best but please be wise on every purchase as the market will swallow your good hard cash time and time again than just going straight to the top. Just a basic amp and a gt1 from boss is what I suggest beginners to buy if they listen but no they buy a digi amp and I don't blame them but if playing in a band please relate to originality than digi and let the music blossom not like what we here today 24/7 in metal music today and realise that using digi as it will not stand as it should

Spark sounds better to me overall. I have old fender, peavey, Gibson tube amps I’ve had since the 70’s and 80’s and several SS amps to choose from. When playing out I mostly use tube. All my amps sound great to me.

I'm going to compare it to my Engle Rock Master using a 212 Laney Cub Cabinet today. No I won't lol. Whatever inspires is what's important. I can drive myself nuts tweaking and comparing when I should just be practicing!

I mainly use the Positive Grid Spark, because I live in a Hotel-by-the-week, in insanely overpriced ORLANDO, FL...... I have a Blackstar KT Studio 10, but on the lowest setting its nearly Too Loud.

I hate strats. I wish people would use Les Pauls or sheraton etc instead of strats.

The output section of the spark is probably it's weakest link. The small 4" speakers are not going to sound as good as the 8" in the tube amp. The spark was big on the lows and weak on the highs as everyone knows. To me the tube amp sounded better, but I can't attribute that to the tubes so much as the speakers. That said, the Spark is phenomenal and offers so much flexibility that a tube amp and a boat load of pedals can't match. Not to mention the convenience of the spark and not having to carry a pedal board around with you. With all of that said, plug a good pair of headphones into the Spark and it sounds terrific! The spark was never meant to be a high end performance amp. It just can't do it! But then neither is the little tube amp you featured. These are practice amps and small room jamming amps. The spark holds it's own in that regard and unless you have them sitting side by side doing an AB comparison, you'll be very happy with the Spark tones. Bottom line is do what you want. You won't be playing a rock concert with either amp, but you'll have a heck of a lot of fun with the versatility of the Spark. And if you want to change the sound, there are plenty of mods to do it, including interfacing with a 2x12 speaker cab. It's all good, don't get stuck in the weeds of "the best".

Now there's a cab you can buy

cool video, mark! it's funny, but, i haven't paid any attention to getting a guitar amp yet! i'm still learning using the rocksmith 2014 program on my pc, but i'll get there one day! i'll send you an email soon as i haven't answered your Q last time about my Reverend airwave 12 ;)

Every demo of the spark ive heard has it sounding like its in a box and very low end and not too great.

IMO there is a “feel” that you get with tube and analog gear. RU-vid videos can only show you, but you can’t get any sort of tactile experience