Positive Grid Spark Cab Review - Ambient Noise Problem
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- This video shares the ambient noise issue I am experiencing with my Positive Grid Spark Cab. This is a public video. Also shared with positive grid in hopes of a resolution to the problem.
As of 11/23/2023 Positive Grid continues to not address the issue and sends responses to support requests that this is normal. See my pinned comment for updates.
#positivegrid #review
![The Spark CAB Has A Major Flaw-NOISE [Here’s How I Fixed It]](/img/n.gif)
[Positive Grid] Support Request #462138
Hi Tom,
Thank you for reaching out to Positive Grid. I'm Dans Huang, and I'd like to convey our sincere appreciation for getting in touch with us.
Kindly be informed that the level of noise you may encounter with your Spark Cab can be influenced by various factors, including your specific environment and the devices connected to it. We'd like to assure you that if you don't notice the noise floor during regular usage, there's no need for concern.
It's also essential to note that most powered cabinets and high-power active PA speakers, such as the Spark Cab, may exhibit some degree of noise floor, which should be considered normal. Please rest assured that this does not indicate any quality issues with the product.
Furthermore, we recommend having the speaker volume on the Spark CAB turned down and with the output volume on the Spark amp turned up. This gain staging setting should help you achieve the best signal-to-noise ratio, optimizing your overall playing experience.
If you encounter persistent excessive noise or have any further inquiries or concerns, please consider sharing a brief video or audio clip to illustrate the issue for our team to investigate. We are here to assist you with your Spark CAB.
Regards,
Dans Huang
Positive Grid Support
I received a second response from Positive Grid and in my opinion it is unfortunately another excuse for a poor product.
Your request #462138 has been updated. To add additional comments, reply to this email.
Dans (Positive Grid)
Nov 23, 2023, 11:52 AM GMT+8
hi Tom,
Thanks for getting back. Your reply is appreciated.
The audible noise floor in the Spark Cab, a powered cabinet, is influenced by the input voltage of the incoming signal. We would like to clarify that this noise floor is a characteristic of the Spark Cab's design and is not indicative of a quality concern. In fact, it has been intentionally engineered to ensure optimal performance when used in conjunction with our Spark amp product line.
One of the primary functions of the Spark Cab is to complement our existing Spark amp products, all of which require using their headphone outputs to connect with the Spark Cab. It is important to note that headphone outputs typically have lower output voltages compared to devices with dedicated line-outs. To ensure that the Spark Cab delivers an optimal audio experience when paired with any Spark amp, we have taken measures to accommodate the headphone output from the Spark amp, which may result in a slightly higher noise floor.
We want to assure you that this elevated noise floor does not pose any issues during normal usage. It has been carefully considered in the design process to ensure that your overall audio experience remains of the highest quality.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we're here to assist you.
Regards,
Dans Huang
Positive Grid Support
How did you hook your spark 40 to the CAB. I used the headphone cable provided and hooked it up as instructed and mine sounds like I have a pair of headphones sitting on a shelf playing at max volume. You can hardly hear it.
@@leviathansruse1085, I used the cable that came with it. My suspicion is the the cable or one of the jacks is your issue. Try trouble shooting it by process of elimination. Test a set of headphones connected to the Spark 40 or other model. Use the cable to connect a different device to the Spark Cab. Lastly try a different cable. Those steps should help you find the issue.
Here is the latest poor support from Positive Grid. They have acknowledged that they did not watch the video I went the first time and have asked for it again. Now they are threatening to charge me for the return. " Kindly note that you will be responsible for the $15 shipping fee associated with returning the item to our warehouse." and " In the event that the item is sent back without its initial packaging, please be aware that an extra $20 restocking fee will be imposed ". I will not be surprised if they expect me to pay for return shipping too. Unbelievable.....
Dans (Positive Grid)
Nov 24, 2023, 12:26 PM GMT+8
Hi Tom,
I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing an issue with your Spark CAB, and I understand your frustration.
I apologize if my previous response seemed inaccurate to you. The Spark CAB is indeed designed to complement the Spark series amp by optimizing the input level. However, if you believe there is still an issue or if we have misinterpreted the problem you're encountering, we would appreciate it if you could provide us with more details.
To help us better understand and address the issue, it would be extremely helpful if you could provide the following information:
1. How you are measuring the noise and any comparisons you've made with other devices, as well as the result of the measurement.
2. If possible, a video or audio clip showcasing the noise would be beneficial for our technical team to analyze.
However, if you wish to start the return process immediately, please provide the following information:
Name:
Company (optional):
Address Line:
City:
State:
Zip
Country:
Cell/Phone:
Product SN#:
*The serial number can be found below Spark CAB's power supply, or at the side of the packaging.
*You can let us know if all the contact information is the same as on your order.
Please note:
Kindly note that you will be responsible for the $15 shipping fee associated with returning the item to our warehouse. This amount will be subtracted from your final refund.
(If you choose not to pay the $15 shipping fee, you have the option to return the item using your own shipping carrier. However, please be aware that in such cases, you will be responsible for the shipment as we have no control over the carrier used.)
In the event that the item is sent back without its initial packaging, please be aware that an extra $20 restocking fee will be imposed (subtracted from the final refund).
For further details on the subject, please visit Warranty & Return.
Please feel free to reply with the requested information or proceed with the refund process as outlined above, and we'll do our best to assist you further.
Regards,
Dans Huang
Positive Grid Support
@@tomdyll2728 This is outrageous. If you have any warranty claim for a product, shipment should be paid by the seller as they are the cause of the issue. To me it means that there is no use in asking for replacement as it would have the same issue. At a later phase of the production, they may change the tech specs to avoid the issue.
I will never buy a PG product any more (have the 40, the GO and now the CAB) as this attitude is simply not acceptable.
Yikes! Thanks for posting. Definitely gonna hold off on buying one now.
I will send mine back because of the unacceptable hum issue and the very unprofessional handling of this issue by PG. Happy with the Mini and Go though.
A FRFR is the same as a normal PA system, in my opinion, so I have ordered the JBL EON 710 now as a) the digital amp should not have a noise issue and b) it has a built-in DSP/EQ (need that to get the optimum sound in my sofa-practicing setup in my living room :-))
OK, it is a "little" more expensive but after the PG Cab disappointment I needed to make a "frustration" purchase...
Thanks so much for this post!!! 🙏.... I will hold off until maybe a spark cab mkii comes out 😂
I got mine yesterday with the same problem. I have contacted support but haven't heard from them yet.
I'm having the same issue. I've had the cab for 2 weeks and during that time i've only played it 3 or 4 times because the hum drives me nuts. I like to play a clean strat tone and the hum is always there significantly loud even when the guitar volume is down. Unfortunately, there is a return fee for sending it back. My suggestion to folks on the fence about buying one is to hold off until PG acknowledges the problem and does something about it.
Positive Grid did finally refund my full purchase price and pay for return shipping.
Maybe try a different grounded power supply or different connect chord from amp to cabinet
Yes put me on the list also having the same issue.
Don’t care for the power surge noise.
HELP SPARK!!
Exactly the same here. They’re saying it’s by design and it’s normal. LOLZ
I have the same issue. If I knew that it was going to be like that I would not have gotten it.
yup i too have the same issue. its loud and intrusive to the studio room. not sure what to do as of yet. I will at least send them a video of the sound it makes and see what they have to say and go from there. On another note though when the spark 40 came out i had the noise issue then. contacted support and the did send me the proper power adapter. within a respectable time. i sure hope they do address this, as its is defiantly a manufacturing issue.
I have the same issue. DB meter app on iphone about 12 inches from spark cab speaker. Spark cab has nothing plugged in and volume at 0. Turn on the cab and I measure about 20db of white noise 😥😥😥
I have a Spark CAB that produces the same ambient noise at idle.
Yep I noticed it too, I thought maybe there’s a fan in there? That’s what it sounds like.
Add me to the list! I too have the same issue. I bought this so that I can track bass using IR, but it is just IMPOSSIBLE to do it with that loud humming, ain't no way imma keep that shit, they either take it back and send me a non-defective one, or imma be suing their ass. I always talked good about Positive Grid and how great is the spark 40 for home use and jamming, now they overpromised and underdelivered with the cab since a huuuuuge chunk of people received a shitty unit. Quality Insurance: 404 not found!
HUGE bump in their brand!
I got the Spark Cab and I love it! It's a very good looking cab. The overall manufacturing quality is superb...Unfortunatelly, I have the same "white noise" here. I have tried it with my Spark Go, Fractal FM3 and Ampero Stomp II. I also tried it with different cables and volume configurations. Would this noise coming from the fan required to keep the amp temperature under control? I had the Seymour Duncan Powerstage and it had a similar noise. It was caused due the internal fan.
Thanks for the feedback. Agree it looks good. It’s not a fan sound. It’s sound generated in the circuit and coming from the speaker.
Great video. I too have the same issue. Spark support asked for a video which I have sent or for me to return. Used a furman power conditioner and decibel meter. Have not heard back. With the cost of shipping and their return fee I would probably be out $100.
Positive Grid did finally refund my full purchase price and pay for return shipping.
Hello, I have the same issue - I have been back and forth with PG Support and they are insting that this is normal - i am not happy and will be returning mine as this is not accaptable.
I also posted a video on Reddit on the Positive Grid Spark subreddit where there is some discusion going on there if you want to join.
(Apologies if this is a duplicate - I already posted a comment but think it got removed due to it containing a link)
Good for you man. I'd do the same. Hopefully you get something useful back from positive grid
Just got the Cab today - same problem. Loud ground noise that cannot be mitigated using the method that Positive Grid support suggests!
Thanks for sharing
Same issue with my cab. :( It is noticible for sure!
Hey Guys,
I got my unit 2 days ago, have the very same issue. It just bugs me even if it is not audible while playing. This is my first ever cabinet but to me it is not acceptable.
The overall quality seems to be very good, though.
I have tried what PG suggested for resolution - no remedy.
I have contacted support - no response yet. I'm going to ask for a replacement unit to try my luck. If they refuse, I'm going to ask for a refund.
The thing that upsets me is that they want to blame the user and the environment for this issue, whereas the root of the problem is manufacturing.
Maybe try a different grounded power supply and a different connector from amp to cabinet
Wow.........that is a whole lot of people complaining about the noise.......Looks like a great idea but not if it's going to be annoying. I own All 3 Sparks and only use headphones as I don't have the luxury of using speakers here at home. The Spark 40 has a great headphone out sound but the mini and the GO do not. Even with the firmware updated.
I played mine for the first time. Same hum. My question is how much is it going to cost to send back? I believe in PG’s website we are responsible for shipping costs send it back. Seems like a garbage deal that we have to pay for sending it back
I was going to order one of these for my spark mini, but I've decided against it. It's too bad, it's the best looking FRFR on the market, but this noise is unacceptable. Looks like I will order the fender FRFR instead
So, I had some back&forth with Positive Grid. They find the noise "normal" but offered me to send it back. Of course I need to pay for shipping :-(
Positive Grid did finally refund my full purchase price and pay for return shipping.
@@tomdyll2728 I had some "misunderstandings" with PG support until they understood that I really really REALLY wanted to return the Cab.
Now I am waiting for RMA information ... since about a week. Not happy!
In the meantime I am really enjoying my new JBL EON 710. It has everything I wanted: great audio quality, customizable EQ, enough bass, no ground noise. Perfect!
Same problem. I ordered from Thomann, and they want me to return it for a refund because they say sending me a new one won’t solve the problem.
Same.
That’s not cooooooooolllll 👎👎👎
The sound as a Bluetooth speaker looks amazing but this white noise is a problem for sure !
Much worse than Fender tone master FR. Glad I canceled my pre-order of spark cab and asked for refund )
I just got one and have the same issue. I have an email into PG and am waiting to return it.
Same problem here😢
Same problem here…..
Same
I was going to buy one…
Nope.
Going to try a Headrush instead or a Mackie.
I had issues with Positive Grid customer service I did not like regarding my Spark GO.
They should maybe get some customer service people who are not Asian mannered or with AI type responses.
I understand. If you are going for FRS cab those are good choices. If you want to push air like an amp I recently found the ValveTrain PowerTrain Stage 50. Excellent choice for getting a real amp feel with any modeler.
I went for the JBL EON 710 - it has NO ground noise and sounds EXCELLENT!
@@chrisvanhoven8562
Thanks for the suggestion Chris. I’m looking to buy something for end of February.
@@kerryfromaj9032 FRFR cabs are merely PA systems that are relabelled by marketing to make them more expensive 🙂
I especially like the option to have filters set with a great parametric EQ with the EON series...
My CAB only makes that noise and nothing else. Can't get it to work at all.
That's terrible. I would be curious to know how they handle it when you contact Positive Grid.
I saw on the forums that a few people had experienced the same issue - when they took the front grille off they found that the speaker cables had become detached during shipping. They plugged them back on and voila - working again.
@@topdazzleafter this the background noise is gone away?
@@giovannidiangelo9632 No - the speaker started working for those who had no sound at all. The background noise or noise floor seems to be a feature of the amp and Class D design.
@@tomdyll2728 Design flaw. Usually bad internal wiring and signal routing on PCB. Picking up interference on its way. Here is nothing you can do, garbage. Thank You for sharing. Try Blackstar Silverline or Boss Katana for my liking.
Thanks for this video i was about to buy one but fuck this! This is not acceptable! Also im a car audio installer and understand amp and class d is the worst amp for power because it is not clean and clear...if you want a good amp you need to find a class a/b amp for the power signal is much more clearer then shitty cheap ass class d..postive grid seems to love going the cheapest route possible to make a buck they dont care about thier customers and its obvious @positivegrid