a risky bet to be impressed by its comfort and sound quality

We tested the strangest wireless headphones in the Sony catalog. Here’s what you should know about Sony’s new LinkBuds.

Since the AirPods from Apple and the resulting result habitual explosion From fully wireless headphones, few manufacturers have decided to offer a try completely new suggestionsto try to replicate that part of the market.

He is one of the few who dared here. For the first time he has decided to leave all his way Products dedicated to excellent sound quality Added effective noise cancellation systems to make room for the Sony navigationa new concept of wireless headphones designed to “hear everything”.

And this is yours open format makes theoretical They do not have to be removed from the ears to be able to hear everything that is happening around us. Something like AirPods “Transparency Mode”, just that integrated into the housing of the headphones and without the possibility of deactivation.

On paper the proposal looks interesting. And yes, without a doubt. However, after testing the new Sony LinkBuds for several weeks, we came to the conclusion that the feature that makes them special is the same one that might make them less attractive compared to their main competitors.

Sony LinkBuds, Review and Rating

Sony LinkBuds price and where to buy

The Sony LinkBuds have an official retail price 180 euros. They are available in colors Black and whiteand cánido be obtained through most common channels including English dish or amazon.

Sony navigation

Where are the Sony LinkBuds located?

If there’s something undeniable, that is Sony’s LinkBuds have created a new format of wireless headphones. Most other manufacturers offer “Transparency” modes that use the microphones in each earbud Emphasize ambient noise and let the usuario know what’s happening around them at all times without removing the headphones.

The big difference between these LinkBuds and these “classic” headphones The Sony model does not allow to “disable” this transparency mode.. Because of course the format is permanent because of its design.

So, They’re not the best headphones for those who want to isolate themselves from the world when listening to music, largos, series or podcasts. Therefore, in the Sony catalog there are already other very interesting options, such as the excellent WF 1000XM4 with its effective active noise cancellation.

Technical data sheet

design and equipment

Although it is completely different from all other wireless headphones available on the market, the Backlink Buds they feel very afín to other manufacturers’ alternatives once placed in the ears.

Of course, the road to get there perro be tedious. His consejos, in donut shapewhich is designed to fit at the entrance of the ear canal, and the top part where the proximity sensor and charging pins are located, Sitting outside, situated in the curvature of the ear thanks to a small interchangeable silicone loop included in the box in different sizes.

Finding the right location is not easy that the headphones do not slip out of the ear, and I am afraid that people who escoge to buy these headphones will have to “train” until they find the most suitable angle. Although it was submitted the fit is comfortable.

Their “donut” shape allows the LinkBuds to let in outside noise / Image: Christian Collado

He is Headphones built into plasticthey are special bright and small, which helps they are very comfortable even for a longer period of time. After all, Sony is pursuing this iniciativa there is no need to remove them at any time, and in that sense, the truth is that it will succeed.

For her, The charging case is the smallest I’ve ever seen So far, i-earphones are completely wireless. Like the LinkBuds themselves, it’s built-in Plastic with a matte finishand there is one Home button to open the casean LED indicator for the battery level and the pairing button next to the USB Type-C port on the back.

sound quality

Sony LinkBuds sound better than they should. Because of the open format, we’re thinking about it the lack of insulation will change to a bad sound quality. However, Sony has done magic again and improved the sound quality of its new headphones surprisingly good.

Logically, the The bass leaves a lot to be desired, especially outdoors. However, for indoor use with low background noise, the sound profile is more convincing for listening to any type of content.

But the main virtue is the permanent “transparency mode”. Sony takes care of that You don’t have to take off the headphones to have a conversation with another person, or to hear what’s going on around us. And in fact it is like this: With headphones it is possible hear ambient noise without problems up to a significant volume level, and if necessary an option to do so cánido be activated Stop playing stuff when we start talking.

Due to their format, the Sony LinkBuds do not have active noise cancellation / Image: Christian Collado

Likewise the Record sound through speakers it’s good if it doesn’t do a great job of reducing ambient noise. Therefore they are suitable y también.g on the phone while we are in a relatively quiet environment.

In general, the the experience is true. While the sound quality is surprisingly balanced, It doesn’t come close to the height of the headphones, which isolates the ear canal from the outside. Especially when we compare the LinkBuds to other similarly priced headphones.

Although that’s true The format is new and the result is goodI am not clear that LinkBuds could be a better choice than the headphones on offer Noise reduction and an effective “Transparency” mode.. So my first choice would be this Galaxy Buds prowhich is today’s price is much lower recommended by Sony.

battery and charging

Sony’s iniciativa of Don’t take off your headphones loses power when we encounter a somewhat low independence compared to other available options, including those with active noise cancellation systems. In general, I managed to get for about five hours with the Backlink Buds. The case perro give us despite its small size two more hours shelf lifeand with just 10 minutes left, we begin another 90 minutes of listening.

unfortunately, Sony forgot about wireless charging on these headphones, probably due to the small size of the case. Therefore, the USB Type-C port must be used for charging.

The Sony LinkBuds don’t have wireless charging / Image: Christian Collado

programa and controls

Because of the iniciativa of ​​keeping a fácil look with the LinkBuds, Sony made certain decisions on an aesthetic level, including the decision to without any kind of physical button on the headphone housing.

All control is done by Touch the back of the LinkBudsand it is possible personalize them vía the Sony Headphones aplicación, available for both Android and iOS.

He is touch detection of the precise and fast headphones, significantly better than the other cheaper headphones that I have recently been able to test, for example the Realme Buds Air 3. In this respect, the new headphones from Sony are on a par with some of the best on the market, such as the Samsung Galaxy buds 2

As for the application It offers a wide range of different options and featuresincluding an activity log that allows us to check and even see our usage habits with the headphones at a glance trophies achieved while you use them.

The aplicación allows it too Update the LinkBuds’ firmware, enable options like speech recognition or adaptive volume, and other. Overall, it’s a well-designed and easy-to-use aplicación that will come in handy for anyone who decides to purchase the LinkBuds.

This device has been thoroughly tested Independently thanks to a move of the brand. The article contains purchase backlinks for which Andro4all may receive a commission. take part to the market channel Andro4all to find out about the best deals before anyone else.