Fischer Audio Omega Spark

Greetings Head-fi!
 
Today we're taking a looking at Fischer Audio's compact entry into the sports earphone market. The Spark utilizes a light weight 7 mm driver tuned with a very lively and energetic signature, all crammed into a diminutive housing. The design and tuning combined with their vibrant red and black color scheme are all fitting for an earphone named Spark.
 
So, is Lil' Sparky here worth your time and money? Let's find out!
 
Disclaimer:
 
Royston at Fischer Audio was generous enough to trust me with a fair and unbiased review of the Spark. It was provided free of charge in exchange for this review, however, the views and thoughts within are my own and do not represent Fischer Audio or any other entity.
 
The Spark retails for 59.00 USD at the time of this review. You can check out the Spark and other earphones in the Omega lineup here; http://omega.fischeraudio.com.sg
 

 
 

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Packaging and Accessories:
 
Here's an unboxing video for those who prefer not to read:
 

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Many consumers could care less how something is packaged. I'm not one of them. A well designed package can be a work of art, with interesting tibits to hunt down and discover. The Spark's package is pretty awesome in this regard, and I love it, even if the materials used aren't anything unique or premium feeling.
 
The primarily black, dark grey, and red colour scheme with white highlights really make the glossy image of the Spark's housing on the front and right side of the packaging pop. My pictures really don't do it justice. The rear contains a wealth of information including a frequency response graph, a bar graph that vaguely covers which genres the Spark is best for, classical being the most suitable, and the all-important specs;
 
- Driver diameter: 7 mm
- Frequency range: 20 – 22 000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 95 dB +/- 3 dB
- Impedance: 16 Ohm
- Maximum power input: 50 mW
- Cable: 1.2 m, TPU

 
Flip open the magnetically sealed front flap and you're treated to a visual assault of information. Starting from with the right side of the package there is a viewing window showing off the Spark's housings set within a transparent plastic tray. Hidden subtly in the depths behind the tray inside the box are the Fischer Audio and Omega series logos. Below the viewing window is a breakdown of the single button remote's controls for media and phone use. Below that sits a list of product highlights and features.
 
Under the flap on the left is a blown up image of the Spark's construction. Below that are instructions on how to properly wear the Spark and set the memory wire. Further to the left is a list of accessories;
 
- single flange tips (s/m/l)
- one pair of double flange tips
- one pair of foam tips
- clam shell carrying case
 
I found all the accessories of good quality, especially the carrying case with it's subtle, raised Fischer Audio logo. That said, wow, do the single flange tips ever pair poorly with the Spark. With the single flange tips installed the Spark's treble presentation is piercing, unrefined and uncomfortable. All the peaks are exaggerated. Using them with the included foam tips is a night and day difference. Other single flange tips like those from Ultimate Ears pair perfectly well. My initial impressions of the Spark were not great, but once I started trying other tips I realized the Spark is fine, the included single flange tips are the problem. My recommendation is to scoop up some extra foams tips at the same time you get the Spark, as they'll give you the best audio performance.
 
Overall the unboxing experience is entertaining. There's a ton of information presented in an attractive yet logical way that gives you lots to do before you dive inside to get to the earphones themselves. For those of you just want the goods inside, well, just cut the security seal, slide out the plastic tray, and you're good to go. No fuss.
 

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Build, Design, Comfort, and Isolation:
 
Fischer Audio did an excellent job designing the Spark, but, they advertise that they are ideal for women and youth, people who in theory will have smaller ear canal openings. While a small earphone helps, according to some female colleagues who have struggled to find comfortable in-ears over the years have explained, a slim nozzle is most important. The Spark's 4 mm nozzles are ever so slightly smaller than what I consider average, 5 mm, but something even more compact like the 2.5 mm wide nozzles on Fidue's A31s is ideal. Not a major issue, but something worth noting if you've got very small entrances to your ear canals. Outside of that one small oversight, the Spark is well-designed and looks good. The housings are compact, weigh next to nothing, and are very smooth and shapely without any uncomfortable protrusions.
 
The cable is pretty decent too. Microphonics are kept down and memory is fairly minimal, though I find it a little sticky so it tends to tangle upon itself. This is exacerbated by the built in memory wire. As long as you wind them up neatly before placing them in their protective case, it shouldn't be an issue. Strain relief is excellent at the tapered 90 degree angled jack and pretty effective leading into the inline mic. Relief leading into the housings is more for show, made of stiff, unyielding rubber. Not a problem in my opinion given the build in ear guides and memory wire. Also, if you need a chin cinch to keep the cable in line and out of the way the Spark has one and it's very effective, though it will only go up so far because of the control module.
 
At first I was a little disappointed by the comfort, but only because of the memory wire. It wasn't doing a great job holding it's shape and would constantly twist the cable out and away from my ear, breaking the seal and killing any bass response. It was driving me up the wall. Then, upon further inspection I found the wire was twisted underneath the sheath. I straightened the wire, moved it into the correct place, and what do you know; problem solved! It's memory effect is still minimal, but I can form it into a tight u-shape so it hugs the rear of my ears and stays snugly in place. Now the Spark is offering that high level of comfort I was expecting from something so tiny and light.
 
Isolation, especially with the included foam tips, is pretty good for a dynamic-driver based earphone. There are two small vents in the rubber that composes the rear portion of each earpiece, but I'm not sure if they actually do anything or are simply an artifact of the molding process. You can cover them up with no effect on sound quality or isolation. I'm fairly certain the Spark's housings are fully sealed.
 
Overall the Spark is well built and quite comfortable with excellent isolation, though you might need to work on the comfort side of things out of the box if the memory wire is twisted like mine was.
 

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Mic and Remote Performance:
 
The inline microphone on the Spark is fine. Callers found me a little on the quiet side, but other than that there were no problems. Outside noise leaking into calls was minimal, and background static was on par with the majority of in-line mics on other products. Perfectly serviceable.
 
The remote on the other hand I really enjoyed using. The button was easy to locate and depresses with a click that is satisfying both aurally and physically. You know when it's been pressed, and won't be second guessing.
 
Sound:
 
Tips: The vast majority of my listening time was with the included foams or Sony Isolation Hybrids which both paired exceptionally well with the Spark. The included single-flange silicone tips gave me a horrible first impression, causing all sorts of uncomfortable treble and mid-range spikes. Fischer Audio needs to ditch them and find a more suitable set to include.
 
The Spark's name is a dead giveaway of what to expect from their sound. They have a heavy treble focus followed up by a fairly neutral mid-range, and a mild bass boost. It's a very aggressive and lively signature, one that's not for those who are treble sensitive. Those that enjoy a brighter signature will be right at home with the Spark.
 
As noted, the Spark has a pretty excitable treble region. There are some strong peaks shown on the frequency response graph around the 2.5-3k and 5k regions which I can believe after spending a couple months with them. They're very JVC-like in their treble presentation and it can be quite fatiguing, especially at higher volumes and because they offer up a somewhat thin sound top to bottom. I found their treble was at it's best at medium volumes as it maintained all the energy and airiness without losing out on the impressive detail and clarity on offer.
 
Leading into the midrange the Spark remains quite detailed. Vocals are surprisingly smooth and cut through with great clarity. There's a ton of texture and separation is excellent, which is quite suitable to grungy guitar work and highly textured synthetic music.
 
While I certainly wouldn't say the Spark is bass light, it's not heavy in the low end either. I found it's texture and timbre to be spot on, with notes taking on just the right amount of decay and weight. It was never sluggish or bloated. It actually reminds me a lot of the ADVANCED M4 in it's low end performance, but without the early roll off leading into sub-bass regions.
 
The Spark's soundstage is open and spacious presenting some impressive laying and separation. Tossing on the classical music they are supposed to be most suitable with, and some of my favorite Infected Mushroom tracks, showed off some great imaging qualities as well.
 

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Select Comparisons:
 
Fidue A31s (29.90 USD): While Fidue's A31s doesn't necessarily compete with the Spark on price, they do share many qualities. They both feature compact plastic housings that aren't much larger than the tiny drivers they house. Both have an inline mic. Both are designed for active users as emphasized by the descriptions on their packages.
 
Instead of memory wire, Fidue chose to let users decide on how they wanted to wear the earphones, including instead removable rubber ear guides. I personally prefer removable ear guides and the flexibility of choosing cable up or down.
 
The Spark's cable isn't perfect, but it's a million times better than the one built into the A31s. I'll let these pictures do the talking. Keep in mind my A31s has been in use for well over a year now. It's cable has had plenty of time to stretch it's legs, so to speak.
 

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When it comes to sound the A31s is much darker and places a lot of focus on a large mid-bass hump. It falls well behind the Spark in overall clarity and detail, with a clear veil sucking up this information. Despite this, it's soundstage is about on par just without the same level of technical competence when it comes to imaging and layering.
 
For A31s users looking to move onto a different sounding sports earphone, the Spark would be a good choice. It physical properties are similar but it brings a much more detailed and clear sound to the table.
 
ADVANCED M4 (39.99 USD): Despite completely different target audiences, these two are remarkably comparable sharing a similar tuning and overall tone, albeit with some minor differences. The Spark is a little brighter but it's bass digs a little deeper. The M4's soundstage offers more depth but the rest of it's presentation and overall technical presence is on par.
 
The M4 is the better built of the two with it's diamond-cut aluminum housings and beefy braided cable. However, this fantastic cable is heavy which combined with long housings makes then less than ideal for outside use, unless wearing them cable over-ear. This is the Spark's default orientation and their cable is much lighter and more flexible, making them a better companion for travel. Isolation on both is similarly excellent (when using foam tips).
 
If you enjoy the M4 but find it's not working out for you when you're out and about or when you try to use them for exercising, the Spark is a likely solution. Yes, they are a bit brighter than the already treble-heavy M4, but a touch of EQ can dial that down for you. That or just use the included foams.
 

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Final Thoughts:
 
I like the Spark, a lot. Once I found the right set of tips and addressed the twisted memory wire, they've been a pleasure to use and a great traveling companion when out of the house. Even after two months of regular use they look exactly as they did the day they were unpackaged.
 
If Fisher Audio were to make a mid-life revision to the Spark I have a couple suggestions. Swap out the included single-flange tips to something that uses a softer silicone and smaller bore, and maybe toss in a second pair of foams because they pair so well. It would also be nice if the memory wire was either revised to something with improved memory, or removed altogether with some rubber ear guides included instead. These minor changes would make them much more enjoyable to use out of the box.
 
For someone looking for an energetic and bright sports earphone with strong technical performance, they could do much worse than to get the Spark. They're tiny and well built, comfortable, have an entertaining signature, and don't cost a ton. Good stuff here.
 
Thanks for reading!
 
- B9Scrambler
 
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
 
Test Tracks:
 
Aesop Rock - Saturn Missles
BT - The Antikythera Mechanism
The Crystal Method - Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes)
Daft Punk - Touch
Gramatik - Bluestep (Album Version)
Incubus - 2nd/3rd/4th Movements of the Odyssey
Infected Mushroom - Deeply Disturbed
Infected Mushroom - The Legend of the Black Shawarma
Jessie J - Bang Bang
Kiesza - Hideaway
King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black
Pink Floyd - Money
Run The Jewels - Oh My Darling (Don't Cry)
Skindred - Death to all Spies
Supertramp - Rudy
The Prodigy - Get Your Fight On
Witcher 2 Official Soundtrack

 
 
Introduction:
The Fischer Audio Omega FE-321 (Spark) is a lively little wonder of an IEM with a sparkly, bright sound and tiny footprint. The current price is US$59. Below is the description from the folks at Fischer Audio:
 
About Omega Spark
Omega Spark is a petite in-ear headphones that packs a punch above its weight. Offering excellent audio quality of clear, distinct highs with sweet lows and mid-lows, the in-ear headphones will bring out the best of a wide genre of music. Combined with a striking red-black housing combination and durable braided TPU cables in a matching red, Omega Spark has the looks to match its performance.
With a sporty, modern look and bendable memory wire over-the-ear design, the Omega Spark will provide a comfortable fit for anytime of the day. Omega Spark is specially recommended for ladies and youth because of its small body design which will sit snuggly for consumers with smaller ears. 
Disclaimer
I received this sample unit from Fischer Audio Singapore in exchange for my honest review. I have no affiliation with the company and this review is based on my own opinions. I’d like to say thanks to Royston, Sofia and Fischer Audio Asia for the opportunity to test the Omega Spark.
 
Fischer Audio Asia website: http://fischeraudio.com.sg/FischerAudioAsia/
 
 
Disclaimer
I received this sample unit from Fischer Audio Singapore in exchange for my honest review. I have no affiliation with the company and this review is based on my own opinions. I’d like to say thanks to Royston, Sofia and Fischer Audio Asia for the opportunity to test the Omega Spark.
 
The Spark comes in a nice looking box made of smooth cardboard. On the front there is a clear image of the earphones giving you an idea of the shape and style. On the back is a handy frequency response graph along with a genre performance chart.

 

 
Music Recommendations – Omega Spark:
Hip Hop / RnB Good
Pop / Electronic Good
Rock / Metal Very Good
Classical Excellent
Jazz / Blues Very Good 
 
There are also some specifications in four languages including English, Dutch, French and Russian. Speaking of specs here they are:
 
On the front of the box is a magnetic flap which opens up to reveal the inside cover and the earphones in a clear window. There’s a host of information here detailing the accessories, wearing instructions, a detailed breakdown of parts and phone controls.
 
Build and accessories:
Included in the box are 3 pairs of silicone tips, 1 dual flange tips and 1 foam tips. There is also the Fischer Audio black carry case.
 
Anyone familiar with my reviews might remember that the included tips with most IEMs are too small for me. Again that is the case here, so for testing I had to dig something out of my personal extra-large tip collection (thanks to Sylmar and 1clearhead!)
 
The first thing that came to mind when I saw these is that they are tiny! I mean really small. The housing is made from a translucent red plastic that looks really neat. On the side is the Fischer Audio logo. The housing feels very strong and I doubt that any type of normal usage could ever damage them.
 
The cable is red to match the earphones and is accentuated by the black memory wire, microphone, Y-splitter and 90 degree plug. It’s a smooth plastic sheath that is resistant to tangles and feels durable.
 
On the left side is the microphone and in-line remote. The remote enables you to play and pause music as well as skip or rewind tracks. When testing the mic, the person I was talking to said I sounded very clear.
 
There’s a cable cinch above the Y-splitter to help with secure fit while moving about. The cinch and splitter are both made of a hard rubber.
 
The cable ends in a 90 degree plug that has a decent strain relief on it.

 

 

Fit and isolation:

The Omega Spark actually fits me quite well, better than the Twin actually. They’re so small it’s easy to forget that you’re wearing them.
 
Due to their small size and light weight, the Spark is very comfortable and can be worn comfortably for long periods.
 
Sound isolation is average.
 

 

 

 
 

Sound:

Testing was done primarily with my Benjie K9 and XDuoo X2 DAPs, Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and desktop PC.
 
The Spark has a lively, energetic and bright sound. As a result, the detail is above average and I definitely agree with Fischer Audio’s genre recommendation here as they are very well suited to classical music.
 
Bass:
The bass on the Spark is rather good, although not as accentuated as it is with the Omega Twin and Ace models. Sub-bass has a surprising amount of rumble to it as well which I wasn’t expecting at first. Overall the bass is what I like to call ‘tidy’ but still has enough impact to move the music.
 
Midrange:
Mids are a bit drier than the other Omega models but still sound musical enough. Because of this they have above average clarity. Female vocals in particular sound good on these though sometimes get intruded upon by the aggressive treble. Normally this happens with bass tones but it’s the opposite with these.
 
Treble:
The treble is up front with these. As a result, there’s plenty of detail coming through but it can sometimes border on edginess and may become fatiguing. I would have liked to see the treble tamed just a little bit to avoid those harsh peaks.
  
Comparisons:
 
Omega Spark Vs Omega Ace
The Ace is warmer and darker than the Spark. Bringing a lot more bass to the table and more fullness to the mids. The treble on the Ace is also much more relaxed and rolled off, resulting in a smoother presentation.
 
Omega Spark Vs Omega Twin
The twin has much more bass impact and is warmer in the mids. Personally I found the fit of the Spark much easier due to the elongated shape of the Twin which combined with the angle of the cable made them awkward. The Twin is much easier to drive, requiring significantly lower volume levels.
 

Conclusion:

The Fischer Audio Omega Spark is the smallest IEM I’ve ever used. They’re absolutely minuscule but their sound is anything but small. Lots of focus has been put on the high frequencies, paired with a fairly tame bass. Plenty of details come through and for certain music genres this is a winning combination. If you listen to a lot of classical music these might be worth your interest.

Price would indicate the Sparks as the middle offering in the Omega series ($59 USD)
However, Fischer Audio intended to tackle a different demographic with the Spark those that have trouble fitting earphones in the past, including young adults and women alike. To combat this task, Fischer Audio set out to make one of the most compact and miniscule earphones on the market, while adding remote and mic for smartphone users.
 
Before we begin, I want to thank Royston from Fischer Audio for sending out the Ace, Sparks and Twins for review (you can see their reviews here)
Ace Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-ace/reviews/14872
Twins Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-twin/reviews/14870
 
I have also supplemented this individual review with a group video review of the Omega series. Like, comment, subscribe and share if you enjoyed the video.

What is the Omega Series?
The Omega series is “the one-solution companion for your entire day” “giving you a fantastic experience be it commuting, casual listening or hitting the fitness arena”.
    
Accessories and Features:
Fischer Audio includes a very nice assortment  of accessories, with the standard 3 sizes of silicone eartips (S,M, L), a double flange (which i found a bit stiff, i would have preferred softer eartips), Foam eartips, a shirt clip, and superbly made zippered semi-hard carrying case.
 
They also feature a 1 button remote and mic, that’s compatible for both iOS and Android platforms, as well as various laptops and tablets. Coupled with call/reject/ play/pause/ fast forward/ rewind controls.
Overall: 8/10
 
   
 
Build Quality:
Despite the dimunitive size of the Sparks, it’s construction hasn’t suffered in least. They have a plastic shell features rather long and thick strain reliefs, coupled with a colour coordinated TPU cable with a nice rubber sheathing makes for a great daily work horse for the average consumer.
Overall: 8/10
      
 
Comfort:
The small footprint of the Sparks are comparable with my Hifiman RE400,(arguably one of the smallest earphones in the world) which is makes them almost completely disappear in my ears. For reference, a Canadian dime easily dwarfs the Sparks. Fischer Audio aims to cater to female users with the Sparks, with the petite fit. (that said I think children wouldn’t have any issue with getting the Sparks to fit) This is saying a lot considering earphones/headphones are getting larger and larger)
Overall: 9/10
 
     
 
 
 
Isolation:
Despite the vent on the front of the housing, the isolation doesn’t suffer all that much on the Sparks. This is purely due to the miniscule size of the Sparks, making them just hide inside your ear, making them more resistant to wind noises. They will also fare well during commuting, sparing your ears in the long run.
Overall: 7/10
 
    
 
 
Sound Quality:
The Spark have a slight warm tilt, with a more emphasized upper bass, giving beats, a thick impact, that does slightly bleed into the lower midrange, but this did not result in a muddled mess. In fact I think given that the tiny footprint of the sparks I was quite surprised with the way they sound.
 
For reference again: here are the links to the:
Ace Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-ace/reviews/14872
 
Twin Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-twin/reviews/14870
 
Bass:
Given the miniscule size, it makes sense that that the Spark would not be able to move as much as air as its siblings in the Omega series. Instead, Fischer decided to compensate by bumping up the upper bass, giving music still a nice thickness. The bass does suffer a bit of bloat, but it does benefit the lower midrange.  See below:
 
Midrange:
The thicker upper bass- lower midrange, helps give male vocals a sort of a “chesty” or “throaty” character. Purists may find this overly warm, but given the intended applications the Spark’s is targeting, I think it’s appropriate. I think the upper midrange has a very slight emphasis to female, however Fischer Audio labeling them “bright” would be going too far.
 
Treble:
The treble is rather dark, as it seems to hit a plateau after the upper midrange and rolls off, sounding dull and veiled compressing the soundstage as a result.
Overall: 6/10
 
In conclusion:
I’m sure it was tremendously difficult to design and construct something so small (I think its record-breaking here), but Fischer still managed to still make the Sparks rugged enough for gym use. Sound wise I didn’t feel it measured up, and I actually preferred the cheaper “Ace” from the Omega series, offering a big bass punch while having a smoother transition from the midrange to treble.
Final Score- 38/50= 76%