Two designs, one clear champ

Sony’s line of LinkBuds merchandise has served two key functions. First, it gave the corporate a playground to introduce wildly totally different designs like the donut-shaped first-gen LinkBuds. It additionally allowed Sony to develop the LinkBuds S, a extra conventional set that provided a style of its flagship 1000X merchandise for $100 much less. That mannequin was definitely extra compelling than the corporate’s primary fashions that go for $120 and beneath.

Two years after the LinkBuds and LinkBuds S, Sony is again with an all-new mannequin and a revamped model of the unique. With the LinkBuds Match ($200), the corporate has developed a full-featured, comfortable set of earbuds with spectacular sound. And on the LinkBuds Open ($200), Sony tweaked its distinctive open-wear components by updating some instruments. Then there’s the third member of the 2024 LinkBuds trio, the LinkBuds Speaker ($180), which is designed to combine seamlessly with the 2 new pairs of earbuds if you return dwelling or to the workplace. Since Sony launched these all collectively, I’ve reviewed them that manner, so buckle up since you’re about to get three opinions for the value of 1.

LinkBuds Match

Sony’s LinkBuds S had been a low-key hit in 2022. They’ve among the nice options from the 1000X line, with an identical total form, too. Small and cozy, they provide considerably extra when it comes to sound and instruments than most $200 earbuds. With this yr’s LinkBuds Match, Sony has debuted the following development in its energetic noise canceling (ANC) LinkBuds.

That is the choice for individuals who choose a closed design and a safe match. Sony utterly redesigned the LinkBuds Match, aiming for the optimum form for most individuals. To get there, the corporate made the primary housing lots smaller, as the entire thing tucks nearly completely into your ear. There’s a so-called Air Cushion silicon help wing that’s hole as an alternative of stable. This permits extra flexibility, and actually it’s extra comfy since you’ll be able to tuck it into the ridges of your ears nevertheless it’s essential. The mixture of the smaller measurement and the Air Cushion make the LinkBuds Match among the most comfortable in-ears I’ve examined. Despite the fact that they plug your ears closed, they by no means grow to be a burden, even after hours of fixed use.

Among the best issues concerning the LinkBuds S was the spectacular sound high quality for the value. That continues on the LinkBuds Match as Sony affords balanced tuning proper out of the field. There’s crisp highs, ample mid vary and snappy bass all through most genres, even with extra restrained, country-tinged rock like Jason Isbell’s Reside from the Ryman, Vol. 2. Plus, the corporate’s DSEE Excessive upscaling may help restore some audio high quality misplaced over compression for Bluetooth streaming. Audio presets and a 5-band EQ are right here for changes, however I didn’t even consider using them.

The sonic talents of the LinkBuds Match are on full show with BONES UK’s Tender. The crunchy guitars, droning bass strains and punchy kick drum present a full, deep soundstage for the textured vocals to drift throughout. And for a bass-heavy expertise, the synth-heavy tune “Generator” from Justice’s Hyperdrama is a loud, pulsing observe with an enormous low-end thump whereas the keys nonetheless lower via on high. Apparently, there’s nuance to the bassy beats on the LinkBuds Match, somewhat than only a one-note rhythm. All of those sound enhancements are due partly to the earbuds inheriting the Dynamic Driver X and Built-in Processor V2 audio chip from the 1000X. There’s extra enveloping sound on the WF-1000XM5, however not by a lot, as Sony has closed the hole between its flagship mannequin and the LinkBuds line – for now.

Options like Adaptive Sound Management, multipoint Bluetooth and Converse to Chat make their return on the LinkBuds Match from the LinksBuds S. However Sony has gone properly past these with a number of recent conveniences. The corporate took a web page from Apple’s ebook and now permits you to reply or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head. There’s additionally a built-in voice management that doesn’t require your cellphone’s assistant, one thing akin to what Bose affords on the brand new QuietComfort Earbuds. And since the earbuds are so small, there aren’t onboard contact controls. As an alternative, Sony employs the Broad Space Faucet gestures from the unique open-design LinkBuds. They work rather well, however I’ll by no means be comfy tapping my higher cheek to make changes.

Maybe the one space the place the LinkBuds Match fall properly in need of the WF-1000XM5 is ANC efficiency. I’d name this energetic noise discount greater than cancellation. You’ll get some reduction from fixed sources like white noise machines or a raucous fan, however these earbuds don’t silence them. Additionally they wrestle mightily with human voices, so in the event you sit close to a chatty coworker, you’ll should crank up the quantity to compensate.

For calls, the LinkBuds Match will provide you with better-than-average voice readability, which implies you’ll sound higher than in the event you’re on speakerphone. The earbuds additionally do an honest job of blocking background noise, though I seen a slight delay in them selecting up sounds that started throughout calls. Sony additionally boasts that this mannequin has its “best ambient sound,” and whereas I’m not able to bestow that honor, the audio mode does have a pure high quality that makes it nice to make use of. Plus, a brand new Auto Ambient Sound characteristic can robotically alter the extent of transparency if you encounter a loud setting.

With the LinkBuds Match, Sony says you’ll be able to count on as much as 5 and a half hours with ANC on and 21 hours whole if you issue within the case. There are a variety of superior options at work right here, and people have an effect on energy consumption. With the quantity at a snug 75-80 %, I solely managed round 4 hours and 45 minutes. That’s with noise-canceling energetic in addition to Voice Management, Converse to Chat and DSEE Excessive all enabled. The excellent news is that Sony affords a device referred to as Auto Battery Save that can disable the latter three instruments, in addition to any EQ tweaks, to preserve energy. This may prolong issues past the 5.5-hour mark, however not by a ton.

The LinkBuds Match are a large development over the LinkBuds S. The truth is, they’re among the greatest earbuds Sony has ever made. However they aren’t with out a few vital faults. My major gripe is ANC efficiency, and although it is the one one, it’s a biggie. Prefer it often does on the 1000X line, Sony has packed in a ton of options right here, and for probably the most half they work as marketed. It’s clear the corporate is taking notes from the competitors with the Apple-esque head gestures and computerized sound changes, along with the Bose-like built-in assistant. However, someway, Sony managed to innovate and maintain the value tag precisely the identical because the LinkBuds S.

LinkBuds Open

Sony

The LinkBuds Open present development from the first-gen mannequin, however they’re nonetheless uncomfortable.

Execs

• Improved sound high quality
• Extra options than the earlier model
• Distinctive design

Cons

• Dearer than their predecessor
• Nonetheless uncomfortable
• Good sound requires some tweaks

$200 at Sony

The unique LinkBuds had been splendidly bizarre. After years of very normal-looking earbuds (in addition to the Xperia Ear Duo), Sony took an enormous swing in early 2022 with the donut-shaped, open design mannequin that sought to offer all-day put on whereas maintaining your earbuds unobstructed out of your setting. They had been totally different, however they had been distinctive, with their very own drizzle of Sony’s particular sauce. Nonetheless, total consolation was an enormous problem, and one the corporate sought to treatment on the follow-up with the LinkBuds Open.

To begin, Sony diminished the general measurement of the IPX4-rated LinkBuds Open. Just like the LinkBuds Match, this mannequin additionally has the Air Cushion silicon help that’s extra versatile. That’s an enormous enchancment from the small hump meant to stabilize the primary model that didn’t provide a lot added help. Sadly although, the casing for the ring-shaped driver that sits in your ear continues to be laborious plastic. After about 45 minutes, it grew to become uncomfortable, and after a number of hours it was downright insufferable. On the intense facet, the cheek-based Broad Space Faucet controls are again they usually’re dependable, if not barely awkward.

Sony made two key changes to enhance the sound high quality on the LinkBuds Open. First, it constructed a revamped ring-shaped driver and paired it with the Built-in Processor V2 chip from the 1000X line. These two adjustments make for louder sound and richer bass, based on Sony. And the declare holds up. You’ll solely want round 65-70 % quantity, until you endure from a point of listening to loss. And there’s extra pronounced low-end tone, although you’ll should coax it out with an EQ tweak.

By default, the inventory tuning is closely reliant on treble, which implies vocals are inclined to overpower many of the combine. Nonetheless, Sony’s EQ instruments really assist steadiness issues out, and including extra mids and bass makes the LinkBuds Open’s sound profile extra well-rounded. After this adjustment, the kick drum thumps beneath vocals and guitars, an enchancment over the default sound profile for Higher Lovers’ thunderous, crunching single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.”

Prefer it did with the LinkBuds Match, Sony introduced over a variety of the useful instruments from the 1000X earbuds to the Open. These embrace multipoint Bluetooth and Converse to Chat, however Adaptive Sound Management automation isn’t right here. Sony did add its voice assistant, Adaptive Quantity Management and head-gesture recognition for answering calls. The corporate additionally affords a match test through your cellphone’s digicam, one thing it is executed for different merchandise to test your positioning for 360 Actuality Audio. Most of those work properly, although in my expertise Converse to Chat continues to be tripped up once I coughed or cleared my throat. And it gave the impression to be much more delicate on the LinkBuds Open than different fashions I’ve examined.

Because of the design, the LinkBuds Open are good to put on throughout calls since, properly, you’ll be able to hear your self. Nonetheless, the standard of your voice on the opposite finish isn’t as clear as what I encountered on the LinkBuds Match. It’s going to get the job executed, however I did sound barely muffled. And background noise, whereas subdued, is noticeable at instances once I’m speaking.

Sony says it’s best to have the ability to eke out eight hours of use on the LinkBuds Open, a big enchancment over the 5 and a half hours on the primary LinkBuds. Certainly, I had no bother hitting that quantity throughout my checks with DSEE Auto and different power-taxing instruments enabled. If you end up in a pinch, Sony devised a sooner fast cost answer that provides you an hour of use in three minutes. What’s extra, Auto Battery Save from the LinkBuds Match is in play right here, robotically disabling superior options if you hit 20 % battery to increase listening time.

The LinkBuds Open provide some enhancements over the first-gen mannequin, however Sony hasn’t addressed an inherent problem with the design. Merely put, they aren’t comfy to put on for longer than a couple of minutes and that can be an issue for lots of people. I perceive the outer shell across the ring driver must be sturdy sufficient to guard it, however there must be even the slightest little bit of cushioning to alleviate the strain. If Sony fixes that, it should have a extra compelling product somewhat than a novelty.

LinkBuds Speaker

Sony

The LinkBuds Speaker is designed to be a stationary companion to Sony’s earbuds and headphones, however it doesn’t provide something greater than that.

Execs

• Tiny however loud
• Charging dock is included and handy
• Auto Play routines are useful

Cons

• Dear for the dimensions
• Restrained bass, absent mid vary

$180 at Sony

The LinkBuds Speaker is an surprising a part of the brand new LinkBuds lineup. It’s a small Bluetooth speaker that’s designed to be your go-to system if you’re stationary, and is provided with a number of options that sync with the LinkBuds Match and LinkBuds Open in a bid to make your life simpler – a minimum of when it comes to listening to music or podcasts.

The LinkBuds Speaker gained’t win any design awards, however that’s par for the course with small Bluetooth audio system. Up high are quantity and playback controls which it’s also possible to use to start out music from choose streaming companies with one faucet (Amazon Music, Spotify and Endel). There’s additionally a microphone for calls, in the event you’re okay with a no-frills speakerphone possibility. Round again, the ability button sits on the backside simply above a USB-C charging port. There’s additionally an hooked up loop right here so you’ll be able to cling the LinkBuds Speaker on a hook or carabiner. That USB-C port is technically the backup charging methodology although, because the IPX4-rated speaker comes with a charging cradle that connects through metallic contacts on the underside.

Inside, Sony paired certainly one of its X-balanced woofers with a single tweeter and a passive radiator. The corporate says this combo offers “well-balanced” and “pleasant and clear sound” that’s tuned so it isn’t exhausting to hearken to for lengthy durations of time. In the long run, the LinkBuds Speaker suffers an identical destiny to comparable Bluetooth gadgets with a scarcity of total constancy. Whereas it’s true the treble is shiny, clear and punchy, the bass is restrained and the mid-range is missing proper out of the field. There are not any audio presets to help you there, however Sony does provide a full 5-band EQ for changes, together with a separate Clear Bass slider. It can save you adjustments as customized settings for future use, in the event you hit on one thing you want.

After I made the required tweaks to deal with the sonic shortcomings, the speaker sounded barely higher, however there was nonetheless a scarcity of crisp element among the competitors affords (just like the Beats Capsule). The one place you’ll discover first rate readability is within the vocals and high finish of the EQ. And for outside use, you may be glad the excessive finish is extra pronounced so you’ll be able to higher perceive the lyrics within the open air.

The LinkBuds Speaker works with Sony’s new Sound Join app for entry to varied settings. There’s one key characteristic I’ll talk about because it’s distinctive to this system. First, the app permits you to arrange routines in order that your music begins at particular instances in the course of the day. There’s additionally an computerized switching aspect to this that works with the LinkBuds Match and LinkBuds Open, together with further help for the LinkBuds S, WF-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM5. All of that is managed within the Auto Play part of the app.

When you sync a set of earbuds or headphones with the LinkBuds Speaker, Sony’s app walks you thru the method of organising morning and bedtime routines. Proper now although, these are the one two choices, which is irritating since I would like to regulate issues all through the day too. You possibly can set them to any time you need, however they’ll nonetheless be labeled “Get Ready” and “Bedtime.” Oddly sufficient, Apple Music is listed on Auto Play, however Amazon Music isn’t – which is totally different from the one-tap play setup. Right here, you’ll be able to have the speaker decide up the place you left off out of your chosen music service or you’ll be able to have a particular playlist or album set for these two instances.

After a routine is about, any music will robotically swap from the speaker to earbuds or headphones if you put them on, and vice versa if you take them off. It really works rather well, rapidly making the change and regularly rising the quantity on the speaker so that you’re not blasted from the beginning. Within the mornings, the speaker will even announce the date, time and climate if you’d like it to (and grant it precise location entry). It’s also possible to have the system inform you the time on the hour. Lastly, the speaker stays in low-power mode when it’s not in use, which is what permits you to swap the audio if you’re in vary.

Sony guarantees as much as 25 hours of battery life on the LinkBuds Speaker, when you have the quantity set to “level 23.” Since that’s 23 out of 100, that’s probably not a viable situation. For comfy, informal listening, you’ll need one thing round 60 % – or stage 60 in Sony-speak, I assume. At most quantity, which is deafening, the speaker supposed to last as long as six hours. I wouldn’t suggest something above about 80 % although, as a result of the pronounced treble begins to cancel out every little thing else within the combine from that time upwards.

I can see avid customers of Sony’s earbuds and headphones having fun with the LinkBuds Speaker’s routines and computerized switching. Nonetheless, there’s significantly better audio high quality from the competitors, and in just a few instances it’s obtainable for lower than the $180 Sony is asking for. I’d wish to see Sony incorporate one of these hand-off characteristic in a speaker designed on your front room or workplace. With one thing that’s greater and affords higher sound efficiency, the corporate would have a extra compelling bundle for a LinkBuds sidekick.