Sony LinkBuds Open Review: Impressive Bass and Features at a Premium Price
The Sony LinkBuds Open have entered the competitive market of open earbuds, showcasing a unique design and an impressive array of features. Priced at $199 / £149 / AU$249.95, these earbuds aim to deliver a blend of style and functionality. With a focus on ambient sound and user-friendly controls, the LinkBuds Open are positioned as a noteworthy option for audio enthusiasts. However, the question remains: do they meet the high expectations set by their price tag?
Design and Comfort
The design of the Sony LinkBuds Open is distinctive, featuring a ring-shaped driver that allows ambient sound to flow in effortlessly. This design deviates from the typical clip-on or hooked styles seen in many competitors. The earbuds come with an orb-shaped casing that houses the batteries, and they include wings for a secure fit in the ear. While the ring-shaped components provide a comfortable fit, some users may find the spherical exterior slightly bulky. Although the wings help keep the earbuds in place, they may feel unusual for extended wear. Overall, the LinkBuds Open are designed to be worn for several hours, but alternatives like the Apple AirPods 4 may offer superior comfort.
The charging case is another highlight, featuring a glossy, marble-like finish in white, with options available in black and violet. The violet variant is a special edition created in collaboration with singer Olivia Rodrigo, adding a unique touch to the product line.
Features and Connectivity
The Sony LinkBuds Open come packed with a variety of features designed to enhance the user experience. They support multi-point connectivity, allowing users to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. Additionally, the earbuds are compatible with 360 Reality Audio and voice assistants, providing a seamless integration with various services, including Spotify Tap, accessible through Sony’s Sound Connect app.
The touch controls are customizable and surprisingly effective, allowing users to tailor their listening experience. The earbuds also feature DSEE upscaling for lower-quality music files, which can be particularly beneficial for streaming services. Users can explore different sound profiles through the app, which includes a gamified equalizer feature to help find the best audio settings. However, it is important to note that the LinkBuds Open lack active noise cancellation, a feature available in some competing models. Additionally, they do not support Sony’s LDAC high-resolution audio codec, which may limit audio quality for some users.
Audio Performance
When it comes to sound quality, the LinkBuds Open deliver a mixed performance. The open design typically results in less audio fidelity and weaker bass compared to closed earbuds or over-ear headphones. However, the low-end performance is surprisingly robust, with tracks like “AAAAA” by Kiefer showcasing a satisfying bass response. In contrast, some tracks may reveal a clash between bass and vocals, indicating that the audio balance could be improved.
High frequencies are generally clear, though they can occasionally sound harsh. Users may need to adjust the equalizer settings in the Sound Connect app to achieve a more balanced sound profile. The earbuds excel in vocal-centric tracks, providing clarity and detail even at higher volumes. However, sound leakage can be an issue, making them less suitable for use in quiet environments like offices or public transport.
Battery Life and Pricing
The Sony LinkBuds Open offer a standard battery life, providing approximately 8 hours of playback on a single charge, with an additional 14 hours available through the charging case. This performance aligns with other models in the same category. Users also have the option to purchase additional fittings to customize the earbuds further, including colorful covers for both the earbuds and the charging case.
Launched in October 2024, the LinkBuds Open are priced at $199 / £149 / AU$249.95. While this price point is competitive, it is still higher than some alternatives like the Anker Soundcore AeroClip and Huawei FreeArc, which offer similar features at a lower cost. Despite their strong feature set, the LinkBuds Open may not be the best value for those on a budget, prompting potential buyers to consider other options in the market.
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