You may be familiar with Sony’s LinkBuds Wireless earbuds which come with a twist: an open ear “ring” system that allows the listener to remain cognizant of their environment even while listening to a track.
This unique approach is particularly pleasing to those who give importance to environmental acoustics, which means that LinkBuds are perfect for outdoor use and for casual, public listening. Let’s look at the LinkBuds design and specifically synthesize the sound quality, usability, battery life, and general performance.
Design and Build Quality
The key characteristic of the LinkBuds is at the center of their structure; each earbuds have a ring-shaped opening for sounds from the environment. This concept is quite opposite to other earbuds which focus more on their noise cancellation feature. However, Sony’s design allows the user to still communicate with the world, and therefore it is suitable for those who need to walk, cycle, or work in environments where isolation necessitated by other earphones and headphones is disadvantageous.
The LinkBuds are small and relatively lightweight, and Sony fits silicon fins in the box as well, in small, medium, and large sizes for optimum retention. This makes them comfortable in the long run though wearing them will take some time in getting used to for those who have been using in-ear headphones only.
The charging case is sleek and small and is slightly larger than other Sony models. Constructed from recycled plastic, the case is eco-friendly, a bonus for those who endeavor to be concerned about the environment.
Audio Quality
With their ‘Truly Wireless’ freedom, Sony’s LinkBuds pack a solid punch when it comes to sound quality. These earbuds are driven by Sony’s V1 processor through which users can get clear and well-balanced audio, enhanced to mid and high trebles. But because of the open design, the bass is slightly less powerful than that of other in-ear headphones. Still, using the DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) does upscale compressed audio, which makes the LinkBuds perfect for podcasts, audiobooks, or anything that calls for clarity, not booming bass.
The LinkBuds can further support Sony’s 360 Reality Audio which provides a spatial audio experience. However, due to the open design, some of the experience escapes out into the open. For those in search of more enveloping sound, there may not be enough here, but this brilliant feature is worth integrating into other suitable devices.
Features and Usability
Many features in the LinkBuds were added to make them as flexible and simple to use as possible. The most striking one among all is the Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adapts volume and delivers ambient sound for the users. This feature will be particularly useful for listeners who switch between working in an office and walking in a noisy city, for instance.
Also, the Wide Area Tap facility enables direct contact with the ear rather than on the earbud to play, pause, or skip songs. As a result, it prevents undesired contacts and allows the users to control the playback even if they have some hat on. The function can be customized with the help of the Sony Headphones Connect application due to which the basic keys for playing/pausing or changing tracks can be changed.
The LinkBuds also include interaction with voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Alexa which requires minimal movement. As with previous models, there is also Speak-to-Chat technology, which stops the playback when the user begins to speak and resumes they get silent. This feature can be much too sensitive as it sometimes interrupts the music after sensing even minor vocal sounds. Fortunately, users can control it within the app.
Battery
The durability of the batteries is fairly acceptable but does not hit all other models of the same line. It is possible to get up to 5.5 hours of playback on a single charge of the earbuds, with an addition of 12 hours from the carrying case, for an estimated period of 17.5 hours. This should be enough for most users particularly where the wake word is used repetitively during the day as may be the case with music or audiobook listeners.
Connectivity and Call Quality
Bluetooth 5.2 in the LinkBuds provides good connections to other Android and Windows devices which go seamlessly. It provides fast pairing, making the connection very easy. Another advantage is the quality of the call in which a number of challenges that tend to affect the clarity of the call are easily cancelled out by the noise reduction algorithm developed by Sony to ensure the user’s voice is heard clearly.
The LinkBuds work well in different environments, from low interfering environments to noisy streets. This makes them appropriate for users who depend on the Earbuds for phone calls or online meetings.
Ideal Use Cases
The Sony LinkBuds are for those who would rather have their ears open to the world and won’t mind the outside noises getting in. Due to the open-ear design, it is equally suitable for listeners who wish to listen to audio in places that require awareness of the surroundings, such as while traveling on public transportation, jogging, cycling, or working in an open office space. With an IPX4 rating, the LinkBuds are splash-proof and can be used for workouts.
Then again it might not be ideal for users who wish to hear louder bass or to block out all noises as the open-backed designs cannot provide the bass impact and block out outside sounds.
Final Verdict
The Sony LinkBuds are an interesting detour from the usual wireless earbuds trends that target users who care more about the environment than about being lost in the music. Some of the notable functionalities such as Wide Area Tap, Adaptive Sound Control, and Speak-to-Chat make them functional for constant movement and the over ear design makes them unlikely to be seen more as confining as the earbuds.
For those who need full noise isolation for travel or quiet environments, Sony’s other models, such as the WF-1000XM4, may be better suited. However, for the niche audience seeking a lightweight, comfortable option that keeps them connected to their surroundings, the LinkBuds deliver a compelling and innovative experience.
The device succeeds in offering a unique listening experience, emphasizing situational awareness and comfort. While it may not suit everyone, it is an ideal choice for listeners looking for practical and balanced audio quality in an open-ear format. With thoughtful features and reliable performance, the LinkBuds offer an impressive option for those who value awareness and flexibility in their audio gear.