Sony’s new earbuds are open for business
(Image from Sony)
Sony LinkBuds Open
The Sony LinkBuds Open are a credible update to their predecessor, the Sony LinkBuds. However, the open design isn’t for everyone, and you need to be sure that you want open earbuds before choosing these. If that sounds like you, then you should definitely give these a chance.
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What we like
- Stabilizer fin
- Fit
- LE Audio
What we don’t like
- Price
- Open design means sound quality tradeoffs
Open earbuds are starting to see their day in the sun, and one of the more high-profile options was Sony’s original LinkBuds. But how do the sequels stack up? I had a few days to give them a whirl, so let’s listen in.
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What’s it like to use Sony LinkBuds Open?
Using the Sony LinkBuds Open is an interesting experience, even if you’re used to unsealed or open earbuds like AirPods and the Nothing Ear (Open). I say that because they definitely blur the line a lot more than either of those products do between merely unsealed and open earbuds. On the one hand, the earbuds let in just about all noise around you, but on the other, they still sit in your ears right in front of your ear canal.
(Image from Sony)
To hold these earbuds in place, Sony added a very flimsy rubber ear fin. However, having a low amount of resistance allows the fin to fit more comfortably to your ear. By having this secondary method to secure the earbuds in your pinnae, even a really bulbous earbud stands a decent chance of fitting you even if it’s not the ideal shape for your ear. I found this to be comfortable, though I was constantly afraid of the earbuds rocketing out should I move quickly — they didn’t, but the feeling of loose-fitting earbuds is something I’ll never get used to.
The earbuds do not have an ingress protection rating, but they do have what Sony is calling “IPX4 equivalent” moisture protection. If true, this would mean the earbuds could take incidental moisture from sweat or rain and keep kicking, making them a decent choice for workouts.
When it’s time to recharge, the Sony LinkBuds Open come with a very small charging case, clad in a marble-patterned top. The back of the case has a USB-C port for charging, and does not support wireless charging.
Should you use the Sony Sound Connect app for the Sony LinkBuds Open?
In order to make the most of the Sony LinkBuds Open, you’ll need to install the Sony Sound Connect app for the earbuds. Though installing extra utilities on your phone can make some squeamish for totally-understandable reasons, you’ll want the latest firmware, and the ability to customize your sound a bit with the equalizer if you struggle to get the results you want.
Additionally, installing the app unlocks a few extra features, like Sony 360 Reality Audio with head tracking, answering or rejecting calls with a nod and head shake, adjusting the wide area tap sensitivity, and toggling sound priority modes. If you’re hoping to use the Sony LinkBuds Open in a low-latency mode, toggling the LE Audio will reduce latency should your phone support it.
How do the Sony LinkBuds Open connect?
The Sony LinkBuds Open connect to their source devices via Bluetooth 5.3 over SBC, AAC, and LC3. I’m happy to see the LC3 here, as that means that the earbuds are fully embracing the advantages of LE audio, such as minimizing latency on Android devices.
…the earbuds are fully embracing the advantages of LE audio
If you’re liable to swap products often, the Sony LinkBuds Open support Bluetooth Multipoint, and you can manage your connected devices through the app. I didn’t have any trouble swapping between devices in the lab, and that was a nice departure from other recent devices. In fact, I was far less frustrated using the Sony LinkBuds Open than I was my old headphones, as I didn’t have to pair and repair every time I switched devices. Though Multipoint is everywhere nowadays, there are definitely some products that do it better than others.
How long does the Sony LinkBuds Open battery last?
（Image from Sony)
Subjecting the Sony LinkBuds Open to our standardized battery endurance gantlet, the earbuds were able to last 9 hours and 30 minutes of playback time. This is an outstanding result, and we don’t often see earbuds last this long — even if it’s not unheard of. Though you’re probably not going to be listening to these for ultra-long periods of time, it is nice to know that you should be able to listen at a safe level for long periods of time.
How well do the Sony LinkBuds Open block out noise?
The Sony LinkBuds Open are designed to not block out noise, so it shouldn’t be terribly surprising that they don’t isolate their listeners much. There’s a little bit of noise softened in the highest octaves of your hearing, but there’s a low likelihood that you’ll notice or care much. That’s really not the point of open earbuds like the Sony LinkBuds Open.
This is very good for activities where you need to hear the world around you, say, biking or interacting with other people. But it’s very poor for listening to music in a city or on a commute. As long as you understand that outside noise will be a constant nuisance, you can adjust your expectations accordingly.
Should you buy the Sony LinkBuds Open?
If you find that you make extreme use of transparency mode, or you find yourself in situations where you need to hear the world around you at all times, a set of open earbuds like the Sony LinkBuds Open is a good choice. Just remember that all open earbuds struggle in the presence of noise, and their semi-in ear design can be tough to fit. Still, it’s a clever design with an undeniable appeal. The creative controls and features make for an interesting experience, and the use of LC3 to reduce latency also is a very nice future-proofing feature. I’d like to see more earbuds follow this path, and it’s important to note products that offer genuinely cool features.
Open earbuds like the Sony LinkBuds Open are not the best fit for those who primarily need their earbuds for commuting, as they don’t attenuate noise very well by design. So if you find yourself wanting active noise canceling or less noise, you’re going to want to keep looking.