Spark - iFlytek's Multimodal AI

iFlytek's multimodal AI with voice, text, and image understanding—strong speech-to-text and audio processing.

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locale: “en”

What is Spark?

Spark (讯飞星火) is iFlytek’s advanced large language model with deep roots in speech recognition. It combines text understanding, real-time voice processing, and image analysis into one platform—ideal for voice-first applications and conversational AI in Chinese.

Key Features

• Multimodal mastery: Text + speech + images in one model
• Real-time speech processing: Ultra-low latency audio understanding
• Chinese speech recognition: Industry-leading accuracy for Mandarin dialects
• Dialogue-focused: Optimized for natural conversations
• Cloud + edge: Deploy on cloud or edge devices (smart speakers, cars)
• API + SDK: Simple integration for developers

Versions & Plans

Spark Web Chat (Free)

• Access: https://xinghuo.xfyun.cn (free with iFlytek account)
• Tier: Generous free tier; upgrades available
• Models: Spark-Pro, Spark-Pro-128K

Spark API (Paid)

• Pricing: ¥0.005�?.02 per 1K tokens (input), ¥0.015�?.06 (output)
• Speech API: ¥0.005 per minute of audio (approximate)
• Models:
  • Spark-3.0 (balanced)
  • Spark-4.0 (advanced reasoning)
  • Spark-Voice (audio-optimized)

Strengths

�?Voice-first: Best-in-class speech-to-text and audio understanding for Mandarin
�?Low latency: Optimized for real-time conversations and voice apps
�?Multimodal integration: Handle voice, text, and images seamlessly
�?Chinese dialects: Supports various regional accents and speech patterns
�?Edge deployment: Works on IoT devices, cars, smart speakers
�?Free tier: Generous limits for experimentation
�?Industry experience: iFlytek has 20+ years in speech AI

Limitations

�?English voice: Weaker than Chinese for English speech recognition
�?Text reasoning: Slightly trails Qwen/Claude on pure text analysis
�?Small global community: Limited English tutorials; docs mainly in Chinese
�?Niche positioning: Best for voice/audio; less ideal if you only need text
�?API rate limits: Lower throughput than Baidu/Alibaba on free tier
�?Signup barriers: May require Chinese ID or phone number for full features

Pricing (Typical)

Prices as of Jan 2026.

Core Capabilities

Conversation

• Natural dialogue with voice or text
• Intent recognition
• Multi-turn context awareness

Voice & Audio

• Real-time speech-to-text (streaming)
• Accent and dialect understanding
• Noise filtering and enhancement

Content Understanding

• Image captioning and Q&A
• Document analysis
• Chart interpretation

Voice Synthesis (Text-to-Speech)

• Natural-sounding Mandarin voices
• Multiple styles and speakers
• Real-time streaming output

Common Workflows

Scenario 1: Smart speaker developer

Goal: Build voice assistant that understands Sichuan dialect
Tool: Spark API (voice mode) + edge deployment
Result: Low-latency, accurate voice interaction in regional accent

Scenario 2: Customer service center

Goal: Auto-transcribe and summarize customer calls
Tool: Spark speech API + text analysis
Result: Real-time transcripts, key point extraction, agent coaching

Scenario 3: Accessibility app for elderly

Goal: Voice-only interface for news and weather
Tool: Spark-Voice (multimodal understanding) + TTS
Result: Elderly users can ask questions verbally, get spoken answers

Scenario 4: Car infotainment system

Goal: Hands-free navigation and music control
Tool: Spark edge deployment (on-device processing)
Result: Zero cloud latency; works offline; privacy preserved

Comparison

Privacy & Security

• API mode: Data sent to iFlytek servers (Beijing); subject to Chinese data laws
• Edge mode: Processing on-device = full privacy preservation
• Compliance: SOC 2 Type II certified; enterprise data protection available
• Data retention: Configurable; can be deleted on request

Getting Started

Try It Free

1. Visit https://xinghuo.xfyun.cn
2. Sign up with mobile number or WeChat
3. Start chatting (text or voice)

Use Text API (Python)

import requests

url = "https://spark-api.xf-yun.com/v1/chat/completions"
headers = {
    "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}
payload = {
    "model": "spark-pro",
    "messages": [
        {"role": "user", "content": "你好，讯飞星�?}
    ]
}
response = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers)
print(response.json())

Use Voice API (Real-time Speech-to-Text)

import pyaudio
import websocket
import json

# WebSocket connection for streaming audio
ws = websocket.create_connection("wss://spark-api.xf-yun.com/v1/asr")
# Configure audio parameters
config = {"sample_rate": 16000, "channels": 1}
ws.send(json.dumps(config))

# Stream audio chunks
# Receive transcripts in real-time
# Close connection
ws.close()

Integrate Voice into Your App

• Use official SDKs (Python, Java, iOS, Android)
• Docs: https://www.xfyun.cn/document

Resources

• Official: https://xinghuo.xfyun.cn
• Developer Docs: https://www.xfyun.cn/document
• GitHub: https://github.com/iFlytek
• Community: iFlytek Developer Forum, WeChat groups

What’s New (Jan 2026)

• Spark-4.0 released with enhanced reasoning
• Improved Sichuan/Cantonese dialect support
• Faster real-time speech processing
• New voice synthesis voices and styles

Summary

Spark is the go-to choice if your application needs voice at its core. Whether you’re building smart home devices, customer service automation, or accessibility tools for Chinese speakers, Spark’s combination of speech excellence and multimodal AI is unmatched.

Best for: Smart device developers, voice app creators, customer service centers, accessibility platforms, anyone building for the Chinese voice market.

Try it: Start free on Xinghuo.xfyun.cn; upgrade to API as you scale.