TWS true wireless earphones - under $100
4.5 STARS - The Moondrop Sparks is a true listeners pair of wireless earbuds, with limited functionality - but incredible sound that balances brilliantly between smoothness and clarity.
Moondrop Sparks specs:
Bluetooth 5.2 with AptX Adaptive, AptX and AAC codec
7,5 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Comes with 10 ear tips and USB-C cable
Available in dark blue, purple, or pink
$90 - Buy on AliExpress or Amazon US, Amazon Germany, other Amazon stores
Below this Moondrop Sparks review, you will find comparisons between the Moondrop Sparks vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, Sennheiser CX 400BT, Lypertek Soundfree S20 and Edifier TWS1 Pro.
Update August 10, 2021: Moondrop has added app support - check out the new app description section of this review!
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Design, comfort and battery life
Moondrop isn't afraid of original designs on its wired earphones, and its first TWS is just as outspoken. The Sparks comes in three different colors. There's a sleek black-blue version with yellow stripes-and-stars motive, a purple edition, and this pink version, of which the see-through case reminds of that of the classic 1997-generation Mac and Gameboy Advance colors. With the anime-like Moondrop-logo on top (of which two O's are illuminated by the buds while they're charging) and the chips in full view, the case is a standout factor - not just in this color.
The earbuds themselves of this version are pink too, but differently. It looks like Moondrop drew a matte, brightish pink sleeve over a custom mold. The flower patterns and red or pink (!) flashing LED-light completes the downright original design.
Ergonomics aren't top-notch. It can be hard to locate the touch-sensitive part on the earbuds, and while the earbuds follow the shape of your ears, the nozzle may be too long to wear the outer part in your ears. The Sparks comes with 10 pairs of ear tips (!), and as there isn't a tip installed out of the box, you're stimulated to try them all. However, none of them can be dragged over the nozzle, making the buds stick out of your ears. It doesn't look very slick, but miraculously, the Sparks doesn't pick up much wind noise at all when you're walking, running, or cycling with them.
Despite the long nozzle, fit and comfort are great. When you have the right tip, the Moondrop clings into your ears and doesn't move too much when you're shaking or rapidly moving your head. It's comfortable to wear for hours - which is great, considering the battery lasts around 7,5 hours per charge with active listening volumes. The case can top them up four times before needing a recharge via USB-C itself - great scores. While the Sparks doesn't have a waterproof rating, its smooth, microphone-less top should make them survive (light) rain.
Connectivity and controls
As it's hard to precisely locate the touch panel on the buds, you may need to trigger controls twice to get the right action. Some actions are affirmed by beeps, and some with English (a bit too loud) voice prompts. The control scheme is simple:
Double-tap L or R to play/ pause music
Triple-tap R to skip a song
Triple-tap L to return a track
Hold L and R for 3 seconds to enter pairing mode
While the last function is advertised as multipoint-connection so you can switch between two connected devices, it reverts to a pairing mode instead, after which you'll manually have to re-pair the earbuds on your previous connected device. Unfortunately, it isn't possible to change the volume on the earbuds directly.
Connectivity on the Sparks is good, with a stable Bluetooth connection up to ten meters. You can also switch seamlessly between listening to two earbuds or listening to one and charging the other - and back again. Music doesn't automatically pause when you take an earbud out.
Calling and watching movies
It's easy to enjoy videos with the Sparks, as synchronization between audio and video is flawless on both iPhone and Android, including the challenging YouTube app. There is a delay in sound effects while you're playing games, as is the case on most wireless earbuds.
It's doable to take a phone call with the Sparks, but calling is not always a pleasant experience. The microphone picks up wind noise and louder background sounds easily, and your voice is tinny and soft - the person you're talking to needs to concentrate to hear you properly.
For video calls, your voice output is way too soft. While your voice sounds full, other members in your Zoom meeting or Microsoft Teams have to increase your volume maximally to be able to hear you.
app support of Moondrop Sparks
As of August 2021, Android users can be sure of a few neat extras with the free Moondrop Link app. It was already possible to install firmware updates and read the manual with the app, but now there's a new update that actually adds useful functions:
Install firmware updates
Read the manual/ product description
Change the touch controls
Select from 6 sound equalizers: Normal, Bass Head, David Xu, No bass, Studio, Wennebostel
You still can't add volume controls to the earbuds via the app, but now you can assign other touch commands - like single, double, triple tap and long-press - to the various existing controls. It's not the most convenient way, and part of the interface is in Chinese still, but it's still a nice to have.
As always, all changes you make in the app, will be stored on the earbuds - even when you only use the buds on another device afterwards.
You can assign different touches to the existing commands
Moondrop put thought into the equalizers - they're actually good
The app highlight? The five new sound equalizers! Including the regular Normal setting, you can change the sound of the Moondrop Sparks without screwing things up manually.
Normal is the sound signature described in the sound part of this review
Basshead gives the bass more body; mid-bass strikes last longer and are fuller, increases sub-bass rumble too
David Xu boosts lower- and center-mids and takes upper-mids back a notch; colors music warmer and makes especially mid-vocals fuller. Surprisingly adds sibilance (emphasis on sss-tones) as well
No bass doesn't take away all bass, but reduces mid-bass thump and bloat
Studio is much like the Normal setting; removes some lower-mids warmth and some of the space in the upper-mids/ highs
Wenneborstel removes treble emphasis and reduces vocal forwardness, adds mid-bass thump, makes for a more laidback sound
The sound uses both English and Chinese text, and doesn't have the clearest control changing options… but the equalizers make up for it. Moondrop added five equalizers that don't overhaul or destroy the original sound, but actually put thought into it - adding musical tweaks that could make the Sparks sound even better for you.
Also read: The best wireless earbuds under $100
Sound quality of Moondrop Sparks: Brilliant
Listen for a few seconds and you'll know it: the Moondrop Sparks is about the sound.
From the center-mids on up, the Sparks sounds bloody brilliant. It's possible to hear the pressing of piano keys, and it's hard to overlook the pulling and plucking of guitar strings right before the actual note plays with incredible naturality. Even though the mid-segment of the Sparks is aimed more towards the higher frequencies than it dips into the lows, tonality is spot-on.
Claps, high hats, and snare drums emphasize the width of the impressive soundstage, with good separation and distance between instruments and layers and details coming from your left and right. With the right size of pre-delivered tips, there's an airiness in the sound you don't often find on TWS wireless earbuds.
Along with the sharpest female or higher-pitched female vocals, claps and slaps can show a bit of sibilance - a slight 'hanging' of the sss-tones in songs that push the upper-mids out of themselves, and the sound can even become a bit peaky on the highest volumes. Other than that, the treble displays a wonderful combination of smoothness and clarity, with vocals always prominent, but never too much so. Like instruments, male and female voices tend toward the higher tones slightly more than the lows, but they do so with naturality and an outstanding crispness. The treble, here, is quality over quantity.
Underneath it, the Moondrop keeps the lows as neutral as possible. Lower-mids like darker electronic tones and drums are barely emphasized, which helps give the sound a clearer rather than a warmer sound, but again: not too much so. The mid-bass is neither thick nor thin. It keeps its punching far from fat and bloaty - bass strikes are fast and slim. It gives space in the bass area, giving slams impact and making room for multiple bass layers simultaneously. This controlled and almost easy presentation of mid-bass and lower-mids feels honest and works wonderfully for many music genres - but explosive electronic dance tracks aren't one of them: they can sometimes feel a bit thin on the highest volumes.
That's just the mid-bass, however. The sub-bass - the part you may feel more than you hear - is another story. It reaches impressive depth and can give a proper shakeup in your ears when asked for. It's the least controlled part of the sound but still more well-articulated than on many competitors.
It's forgiven, as the Moondrop Sparks sounds so right so often. It's airy, clear, detailed, and balanced. It's among the best sounding wireless earbuds on the entire market.
Moondrop Sparks comparisons
Moondrop Sparks vs Samsung Galaxy Buds+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ gets heavy competition from the Sparks in the sound department. While the Buds Plus presents vocals and (upper-)mids with heaps of clarity, it can display a white noise floor when doing so, which is absent on the Sparks. Both can become a little peaky on very loud volume, but the Buds+ keeps the lower frequencies more controlled in these scenarios. The Moondrop presents the lows within vocals and instruments better and therefore feels more detailed, shows a wider soundstage, and has a deeper bass sound. When it comes to practicality, the Samsung wins in every aspect.
Moondrop Sparks vs Sennheiser CX 400BT
One of the best-sounding competitors, the well-known and sometimes comparably priced Sennheiser CX 400BT has a different approach in sound. The Sennheiser has a more intimate soundstage, with more lower-mid fullness in the bass, mid-instruments, and even its front and center vocals. The Sparks sounds clearer, airier with a wider soundstage, and opens up upper-mids and brighter vocals more. Practically, the Sennheiser wins, with better touch controls, longer battery life, a more comprehensive app, and better (video) call quality. Soundwise, these complement each other.
Moondrop SParks vs Lypertek Soundfree S20
The slightly cheaper Lypertek SoundFree S20 is another king of clarity. The SoundFree's stronger mid-bass gives (dance) music more of a pump, and increased emphasis on the lower mids make the S20 sound warmer as well. The Sparks has a faster, tighter bass. The S20 pushes vocals even more forward; the Sparks has a more balanced vocal presentation. Tonality and especially center-mids on the Sparks appear more natural; the S20 is more comforting to listen to on the highest volumes. Spec-wise, the Lypertek wins on fit, its actual button with more control options and waterproof rating.
Moondrop Sparks vs Edifier TWS1 Pro
At only half the price, the Edifier TWS1 Pro is another recommendation if you love a clearer sound. It has a similar approach to combine vivid upper-mids with sub-bass depth. Yet, the Moondrop adds a more natural tonality and throws in more center-mid detail while also presenting its music with more air and more precise instrument placement. The TWS1 still stands in comparison but sounds a little rougher around the edges. Like other compared models, the Edifier is a more practical choice.
Verdict
While the Moondrop Sparks has great battery life, its look in your ears is questionable, and it lacks basic features like a waterproof rating or good call quality.
It makes up for it with great sound quality, that balances brilliantly between smoothness and clarity. The Moondrop Sparks is a musical feast.
4.5 stars - Great
Buy Moondrop Sparks:
Buy Moondrop Sparks on AliExpress (possibly cheaper link)
I received the Moondrop Sparks from the manufacturer to test and review. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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