Customer Ratings & Reviews

The Sony LinkBuds Open offer a unique open-ear design, allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to audio. This design includes a stabilizer fin for a secure fit, providing comfort during extended use. I could wear them for hours without discomfort, and while they felt like they could fall out with sudden head movement, they stayed secure the entire time. The open-ear design results in significant ambient noise intrusion, which may not suit those seeking noise isolation. However, the sound quality is balanced, with clear highs and mids, though the bass is not as pronounced. The voice call quality on the Sony LinkBuds Open is generally good. The open-ear design allows for natural ambient sound, which can be beneficial in quieter environments. However, in noisier settings, the lack of noise isolation might make it harder to hear and be heard clearly. The Wide Area Tap feature enables playback control by tapping near the ear, enhancing user convenience. Additionally, the earbuds support LE Audio for improved sound quality and reduced latency. The earbuds offer approximately 7 hours of battery life on a single charge, with the case providing an additional 12 hours of charging, making them adequate for all day use. a 3-minute charge will add approximately 60 minutes of run time. The LinkBuds Open ensure stable Bluetooth connectivity with both Android and iOS devices. They also have an IPX4 rating, making them splash-proof. Smart features include instant pause/play when you take out an earbud, or answer the phone with yes/no head gestures. The Sony LinkBuds Open are designed for users who prioritize situational awareness and comfort over noise isolation. While they may not appeal to those who prefer noise isolation, they provide a solid listening experience while keeping you in tune with your surrounding.

TLDR: I have a love / hate relationship with the LinkBuds. I love the fit, love the weight, and the clarity, but hate the near complete lack of bass. These LinkBuds have great mids and highs, but without any real form of bass response make them disappointing for music and movie buffs. SET-UP The LinkBuds are set-up using Sony’s SoundConnect app. I find it works well for the most part with minimal frustrations. However, there are too many submenus after initial set-up making certain features more difficult to find than it should. Initial set-up though, couldn’t be easier. The SoundConnect app will walk you through the entire initial set-up without issue. Sony has taken a great deal of care designing the app to ensure that the LinkBuds sound their best and fit correctly to nearly anyone and everyone. Between equalizer settings, profiles, fitment guides, etc. the customization options are extremely thorough and nearly endless. USE Bottom Line Up Front – The LinkBuds are the lightest, most comfortable ear buds I’ve ever used. They fit great, are much more stable and secure than normal ear buds, and have outstanding audio clarity, but they have nearly zero low-end bass response making them less than ideal for music and movie lovers. Unlike traditional ear buds that stick down into your ear canal, the LinkBuds rest inside the dent in your ear without protruding into the ear canal. An interchangeable “tail” makes sure they are correctly positioned in your ear and secure as to not fall out. But, how do you know if you have the ear buds set correctly? Easy. The SoundConnect app uses your phone’s camera to measure your ear and pick the correct tail piece for the bud. Slick and effective! Once I selected the proper sized “tail” for the LinkBuds, I found them far more secure and resistant to falling out than normal earbuds. Like I said above, the LinkBuds are impressively light, impressively comfortable, and impressively small. Unlike normal earbuds that stick into the ear, these are the first buds that don’t wind up getting itchy and annoying after an hour or two. As a matter of fact, these are the ONLY earbuds I’ve used that I can tolerate in my ears for hours without annoyance. This has never happened before, and Sony hit it out of the park with the comfort. BATTERY LIFE Battery life, even with noise cancellation is excellent. Up to 8 hours of continuous use. This seems about right, as I was just under 50% after about 4 hours of constant use. While the LinkBuds technically might not make it a whole workday without a recharge, it isn’t a problem, as a simple 3-minute rest in the case gives you an extra 60 minutes of playtime. SOUND PROFILES & EQ I like the way Sony has implemented their equalizer settings in the SoundConnect app. There are your traditional equalizer settings like: Bright, Exciting, Bass Boost, etc. But Sony goes a step farther and includes a sound profile section in the app. This helps tailor all playback to your liking. What I appreciate about it, is that it doesn’t indicate what functions you are attempting to manipulate. Instead, you put on some of your favorite tunes and start selecting numbers based on which sound profile you prefer. Not until you are done, does the app tell you what adjustments it is making to the EQ. Well done! The LinkBuds utilize the same audio processor contained in Sony's excellent XF-1000 headphones. The processor is extremely effective at audio reproduction and active noise cancellation. Combine that with Sony’s DSEE tech and 360-degree audio with head tracking and you would be hard pressed to find a more comprehensive feature set on any set of earbuds or cans. Noise cancellation is surprisingly effective for an earbud that doesn’t protrude down into your ear and technically has a big hole in the middle of it. Owners of Bravia TV's can get even more benefit with the LinkBuds, as they can be paired with the TV to get 360-degree spatial sound. Sort of a quasi-Dolby Atmos set-up. I wish I had a TV to test the surround with, as these are the first and only earbuds I would actually consider using in conjunction with a TV. DISLIKES While I was extremely pleased at the comprehensiveness of the set-up process, I find the SoundConnect app difficult to navigate and many of finer details and settings too buried in sub-menus. Things that should be easy to find often require many different taps and even searches to find where they should be more intuitive and readily accessible. Furthermore, the firmware update process is painfully slow and tedious. Where other manufacturers take only a couple of minutes, a firmware update on these Sony's can take up to 60 minutes to complete. OUCH! The MAJOR drawback of the LinkBuds is their nearly complete lack of low frequency response. It is unfortunate too. This product excels at mid and high frequency reproduction. These frequencies are crystal clear, even clearer than many other more expensive headphones and earbuds I own. There’s an openness and I’ve never experienced before. But drop below 250Hz and the audio just gets lost. There is no large mass transducer to reproduce those lows. Movies and music like hip-hop just become boring and bland. CONCLUSIONS There is still plenty to love about the LinkBuds. These are, by far, the most COMFORTABLE earbud I’ve ever used. Leaps and bounds more comfortable than any of the competition. They sport excellent battery life and have many useful features not found on many similar products. Things like gestures to control functions and not having to physically tap the earbud to change functions are slick. Things I wish more manufacturers would adopt. Call quality is excellent. As good or better than any other product I have used to date. The clarity and noise cancellation rivals speaking directly into my phone. Honestly, it’s better on a windy day. The new Sony LinkBuds have become my new go-to earbud. They may lack nearly any form of bass reproduction, but they are so light and comfortable that I won’t stop using them. I can barely stand to use most earbuds for the duration of movie before they get itchy and annoying. Not the LinkBuds. I’ve used them up to 4 hours at a time and quite honestly, they are so light and comfortable, I actually forget I had them in. This is something I could never say about any other can or earbud I own. The only thing holding the LinkBuds back from a perfect 5-star rating is the bass response. It's unfortunate too, because they do everything else so well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Sony is usually always at the top when it comes to headphones/earbuds in terms of quality/performance. In the market of "open ear buds" there isn't too much competition but these do stand out. Going in, you need to know that this market is for hearing everything around you while keeping them in all the time, not to be confused with pass through on in ear buds. In the box are the buds, the charging case that is the biggest fingerprint magnet in the world due to the piano black gloss top, quick start guide and the smallest USB A to C cable I've ever seen. Setup was standard. You can directly pair it with your normal BT pairing or you can use the new Sony app called Sound Connect (used to be called Sony | Headphones). As I own a couple of pairs of Sony's I already had the app and when I chose the add new option, it found the buds and paired it with no hitches. Using the app (which I recommend) you can get a walkthrough of all the features the LinkBuds can offer. I use the fit checker and the EQ the most. You can use a whole list of presets or for the advanced user, customize the EQ to your preferred liking. Sound is 3-4/5 depending on what you are listening to. The mids and highs sound great but unfortunately there is no bass. Even with Bass Boost or maxing it out on the EQ there is just no thump. This is not just Sony but every open bud's weakness because there is no seal and the sound is just being blasted toward your earholes. Other than that, sound quality is just fine. The design is meant for you to also hear the environment around you. They are great though in an office place that allows them because you can hear your co-workers still. I wouldn't recommend blasting them above 40-50% because then the audio will be loud enough for those who are close to hear. The fit was also difficult for me a little bit. The app will show they are perfectly fit into my ear, but the left one feels too loose. Don't get me wrong, when in, they feel great. Again though, while walking or even just bobbing or moving my head, I found it just kept falling out of my ear. If you look at the design, it is relying on the stem to keep them in. Battery life is decent. During my work week, they on average lasted me 6hrs 15-30min before dying and needing a charge. With the case Sony is claiming up to 22hrs of life and with just a quick 3min charge it should buy at least 1 hour of playtime. Also just me personally, but the glossy black top of the case is annoying and should have been matte like the bottom half. If you are a little more advanced with Codec knowledge then know at these only support SBC or AAC. It's funny because in the app there is an option to choose from either Higher Sound quality or Prioritize Connection. Switching between the 2 gives a pop up that says codecs will change, but no matter what you choose it stays at AAC. Maybe because the sound quality isn't the best of the best that is why Sony made these not compatible with LDAC or aptX so there wasn't a good point to it? Again this is just my observations.

Sony’s newest Open True Wireless Earbuds called LinkBuds, Are one of Sony’s newest products. After spending a few days with them, here is my review of what I think of them. First off, I consider myself an audiophile. I know what sounds good and what doesn’t, strictly based on the quality of sound, clarity, loudness, etc. I have reviewed many other headphones, earbuds and such. And one thing I can say about these right away is that they are unique. With that being said, these earbuds fall short on some areas and excel in others. Design: These earbuds might look like your normal in ear headphones, but they are a little bit different, they are designed so that you can hear music in your head, but are also aware of your surroundings sounds, it’s like Sony wants you to feel like there is music playing in the background, but you can still concentrate on whatever it is you’re doing whether it’s cooking, working, jogging etc. Sound: overall these earbuds sound good, but not great. Some of it is by design, they’re not supposed to be loud so that they have that effect like the music is coming from speakers nearby so that you can listen to music while still being able to concentrate on other sounds/work etc. Bass is lacking no matter the genre you listen to. Fit/comfort: This is where most people will either like these earbuds or they won’t. It’s basically one size fits all, meaning you cannot adjust them at all, there is no additional size gummies to fit your ear or anything of that nature. For me personally, these feel comfortable because I have average size ears. For other people, these might be too big or too small. in my opinion, this will be the single biggest factor that determines whether people like these or not. Even though they fit “normal” on me, I spent the first few hours feeling like they were going to fall out, And they did at first, a couple of times, But once I started getting used to them, it was fine. Features: These have all the features that we are used to earbuds having these days, for example, you can pause, skip songs and lower the volume just by tapping on them while they are in your ear. One feature I was surprised at is that if you receive a phone call while wearing these, you can just nod up and down to accept the call or nod left and right to decline the call. This feature works surprisingly well. App: The first thing you should do is download the app, it will show you how to use your new earbuds, how to use its features, how to wear them properly and you can play with the sound settings. Pros: -Premium look and feel -Creative design -Clear sound -Battery life Cons: -Not very loud -One size must fit all -Lacks bass

The Sony LinkBuds Open marks the return of the donut shaped earbud! These have such an interesting design and are something you’ll want to check out if you like the idea of unobstructed environmental sound while still having a quality earbud experience. The LinkBuds Open are well made and deliver a sense of quality. They're lightweight but still feel durable. If you wear earbuds daily, I can see these being able to stand up to your average wear and tear without issue. Keep in mind that they aren’t waterproof. However, they are IPX4 rated and should be able to handle sweat and light rain without issue. If you are sensitive to ear pressure you may fall in love with these. The open ear style is ear pressure free. They sat comfortably in my ears at first, and I had no issues with a secure fit – the design of the little ear wing did its job! After longer wears, I found them to be slightly uncomfortable inside my ear. I’m generally pretty sensitive with earbuds, but I have a more traditional style Sony set that I can wear all day without the same discomfort. The open ear design seems strange, but the sound is clear and balanced, albeit a little high on the treble for me. You get some bass, but the mids and highs are the stars. If you don’t listen to bass heavy music, these earbuds might be more your style. If you're a podcast lover or someone who takes a lot of calls, the clarity these earbuds provide is great. The Sony open ear concept brings a fresh perspective to the wireless earbud market and they might be the standout choice if you find that they fit your needs. If you value high-quality audio and want to try out the open ear design the LinkBuds Open should be on your radar.

Sony LinkBuds Open Sony’s open ring design of the Sony LinkBuds Open are designed to be comfortable and allow you to be exposed to the outside surroundings while still listening to music a video or using your phone. This is very good for activities where you need to hear the world around you, say, biking or interacting with other people. If you are already used to unsealed or open-style earbuds, you will already have the correct expectations that the LinkBuds provide. The earbuds let in most of the sound environment around you, but they still sit in your ears right in front of your ear canal so they direct the speakers' sounds to be a more direct route to your ears. The construction of the LinkBuds allows for a broad area of fitment. A small ring fits over the ear canal, and a soft silicone fin fits into the pinnae area of the ear. This allows for comfort over a long period of time and doesn’t require a lot of fitment accessories to find the right one to fit your ears. I found I could exercise and run with the LinkBuds in, and they stayed secure in my ears. I watched a couple of movies on my tablet and didn’t find them uncomfortable after a two-hour movie. It features a clear, nicely detailed sound. They don't deliver as much bass as other premium noise-isolating buds, but in quieter environments, there's a relatively small drop-off in sound quality from noise-isolating buds. Also, like other open buds, their sound has an open, airy quality. Voice-calling performance was good, and the buds have good battery life. I received 8 plus hours on a single charge, and the compact case provided an additional 14 hours with a quick recharge time. A 3-minute charge provides 60 minutes of additional play time. The case is small, secure, and well-built. It has a USB-C connection but doesn’t come with a power brick. The LinkBuds Open are equipped with Sony's Speak-To-Chat feature that pauses your music when you start a conversation, and they have some voice controls built into the buds themselves. The voice-control feature has to be activated in the settings menu, as does Speak-To-Chat. But once it's activated, you simply say, "Hey, headphones," then say one of the available voice commands, which include commands for skipping tracks forward and back as well as raising and lowering volume. You can also tap the buds to start your playlist and move to next selection. I didn’t like the head movement commands and turned those off. The equalizer is manually adjustable, as well as having a variety of preprogrammed settings. If you remove the buds they go into standby mode One of the big pluses is being able to connect to two devices at once. I have on connection on my phone and one on my laptop. It is too bad I can’t connect them to my laptop. The app shows your settings and the power levels of the buds and the case. It also gives you access to the equalizer and things like autoplay. If you like unsealed or open-style earbuds or have a need for earbuds that do not remove you from your surrounding environment, I would recommend the Sony LinkBuds Open.

Ok, these are my 10 or 11th Wireless Earbuds.  I have more than one set of Sony's over the ear headphones.  They are truly top of the line.  But I can't use them when exercising or when working. I also have a eBike with a helmet that has "headphone" in them.  They are at best so-so.  I really don't expect open earbuds to have the quality of sound that over the ear headphones do.  But I do expect them to be lighter. Sony's previous LinkBuds open has an over the ear loop.  I tried them and found them uncomfortable, and bigger than was comfortable for my ear.  This new version is smaller and a tad heavier, they have a fin up the top of the earbud that should fit into the larger groove of your ear.  I found them much easier to get into my ear than the previous version.  The silicone ear insert only comes in one size.  Many other earbuds in this price range come with a choice of 4 or 5.  I'd have liked to have tried a slightly smaller ear insert, but not possible.  The earbuds are rated to get 8 hours of play time, and the case can charge them 2 more times.  They claim that a 1 minute charge will add 1 hour play time.  I did verify they got over 7 hours of playtime at a fairly high volume level.  Sony has new software called Sony Sound Connect that is used to set up and configure the earbuds.  I tried using them with the previous Sony Music Center app, and they were not recognized.  This surprised me as all my other Sony headphones/earbuds/speakers were. So to get started you need to load the Sony Sound Connect app.  This set up was easy, and the app allows you to connect to up to two input sources. The "Find your equalizer" walks you through setting up the 5 band equalizer where you choose the music.  This works pretty well. There are 8 default settings and a manual setting that you can store as Custom 1 or Custom 2.  During setup you can connect the voice apps: Alexa, Google.  I set up Alexa, without issues.  My first impression was it was difficult to get a proper stereo fit in both ears. One or the other ear sounded different, I spent quite some time tweaking the fit in my ear trying to get the same sound level in both ears.  When I went to a totally silent area it was somewhat easier.  A couple of more details, the earbuds when in the charging case, blinks when charging (green).  When the case is being charged (USB C) the led is solid amber. The case does not support wireless charging. I listened to several tracks from Boston's first album, and I was presently surprised by the quality and openness of the sound.  The LinkBuds bass is actually better than I expected for an open earbud. It's very full but fails to deliver real depth. The highest highs are not as quiet there but still a well rounded sound.  The mid-range was very good, at times exceptional.  I listened under different circumstances, with and without background noise (outside with birds etc, and in my office with a computer hum).  I went back and forth between "More than a feeling", "Foreplay" and "Smokin".  The bass was almost deep and tight, it sounded nice but not exactly what I'd call exceptional, just lacking some punch. When outside with the volume at 60% during low passages I could periodically hear birds and street noise.  In my office the humm of fans could be heard when low but not over louder volume.  The external sounds rarely interfered with the music when it was loud enough.  But when I heard my phone ring, it was easy to make out, one tap and I could pause/mute the music.  At that point it was hard to tell that I had earbuds on.  I could use my corded phone with the earbud in, it was a little awkward but doable (to my suprise). With my cell phone the sound from the LinkBuds was exceptional and I'm told I sounded very natural.  The mic worked very well, with little background noise being picked up. I then listened to Pink Floyd's DSOTM, and was quite impressed by the louder passages in "Time" and "Money". The quiet passages in "The Great Gig in the Sky" were better than I expected, very pleasant.  Some subtleties in the girls' voices were more soft. Here was where better EarBuds excel. I wore the earbuds for over two hours and barely noticed I had them on; the fit on my head was very comfortable (but I still wish the ear insert was slightly smaller). Listening to the deep bass heartbeats at the end of Eclipse, I could feel the bass, but it was still thinner than a closed earbud would be.  So the open design does have some tradeoffs.  The balance of what Sony's done with these is quite nice.  Nothings perfect but across the full frequency that is actually quite good from top to bottom.   I mentioned my eBike.  I tried these earbuds in place of the "open headphones" on my helmet.  Before turning them on I could hear the surrounding noises very clearly.  As I moved down the road the helmet buffeted most of the wind noise. But I could still hear pretty clearly through the earbuds.  Once the music was on it was still a nice balance, I could hear the ambient noise and still enjoy much higher quality music than my helmet headphones delivered. At a very loud level the ambient noise was harder to discern.  I suspect a car's horn would still cut through.  But as far as sound quality; a hands down winner. I don't think I'd feel safe at full volume.  The same when walking, to stay alert, the sound level needed to stay below 60%. There I found an acceptable comfort level.  The touch controls aren’t that responsive (or extensive), increasing the responsiveness too high in the Sound Connect app seemed to make them too sensitive, causing accidental touches.  Using the head shake as a mute/pause was my best friend. Like everything there are tradeoffs; if you want to hear ambient sounds you either have an open design or a closed design that amplifies external sound through the earbud.  In terms of a 100% passive design the open earbud requires less interaction. So if you're using earbuds where you might be interrupted frequently, I think I'd prefer Sony's open LinkBud design.  I think Sony can still make more improvements.  There are not that many other open earbuds. I think this version is better than the previous. And they can improve upon these (multiple earbud tips to begin with).  

With the recent releases of open ear buds lately, I was interested on Sony's take on this. I have had numerous earbuds and headphone on and over the ear. I even tried the off the ear and induction types. My go to always have been over the ears with good noise cancellation from the Sony Ulta over the ear ones. If I wanted an open type of feel, I would turn on transparancy and that works for the most part. It was like hearing with a hearing aid or assited device. Some versions of different models have the transparancy mode and to be honest, is very annyoing to listen through. However with this open type, it's actually quite nice. The box is super minimal. Very little paperwork and packaging which I like. Also no ear bud or cushions with this one. The donut shaped part goes into the front of your ear and the knub on top wedges into your rear lobe. I must have really small ears because I really feel the fatigue when I first used it. Later in the day, I used these open buds when I washed my car. I didn't notice it, but I saw myself on my security cameras and found saw I kept constantly correcting the fit in my ears. It did hurt a bit after wearing for about two hours of detailing my car outside in hot Texas weather. At bed, I opted to listen to a few videos and tried to refit these without really wedging them into my ear. And doing that, I the fatigue was not too bad but I did feel like it kept becoming loose and fall out of my ears. They did not, but it was always in the back of my mind. The really cool thing this offers is the wide tap. Which is tapping not the ear phones but around the front of your ear, like my sideburns to perfom different taps and each side can be assigned and mapped to whatever you want. I had the left side doing my assistant things, which I used Gemini on my Pixel 9. It works, but the buds say it doesn't work, then a second later the Gemini assistant voice comes through. I give it to the newness of Gemini as a dedicated assistant. It works, but just ignore the message that it does not lol. Would I recommed it? I actully do like it and seem to reach out to it rather than my other buds for now. Not sure if it's because it's new to me, or just knowing that I can hear pretty much everything I need to and not be drowned out by ANC, which I do without thinking to just relax. There are times where open devices make sense and walking outside and maybe office wear works. Sometimes I want to get dialed in and want tunes to do so, and I believe this works pretty good. Will this work with everyone? I say no, but for most people it would be good, for the price of Sony its pretty satisfying to use.

The Sony LinkBuds Open bring a unique design to the wireless ear buds market and deliver nice clean sound at the same time. When I first saw the original LinkBuds I was always intrigued with them but never tried them. I’m glad these have the little wing tips that help keep them in your ear unlike the first generation. Because of that wing tip, the ear buds always stayed put in my ear while wearing them and I wasn’t having to constantly adjust them. This is one of my biggest pet peeves with ear buds and whenever I can find a pair that I don’t have to constantly adjust is a big plus for me. Next to fit, sound is the most important element for any ear buds and these deliver crisp clean sound no matter the genre. Being an open design, I was worried they would lack depth especially with bass but I was wrong. They deliver plenty of bass and they give you that sense of depth that allows you to truly feel the music. It’s easy to dial in the sound that’s perfect for you alswith the excellent app. Besides preset eq settings, the app will walk you thru customizing the perfect sound that just right for you. The app allows you to customize other settings for the ear buds such as speak to chat, pause when headphones are removed and a lot more. Battery life has been excellent and Sony claims up to 22 hours and a 3 min charge will provide 60 minutes of playback. When it’s time to charge you only have one option unfortunately as theirs no wireless charging which honestly surprised me at this price. If you like using your ear buds for calls, I’m happy to say you can use them independent of each other. The LinkBuds Open are either gonna be a design that works for you or they don’t, they’re comfortable, though not the most comfortable design I’ve ever used when it comes to earbuds. Overall, they deliver excellent sound and have an app that offers a lot of customization, probably more than I’ve seen from any other earbuds, but do lack wireless charging.

Based on mixed reception of these earbuds, it’s clear they aren’t perfect. The “doughnut” speaker limits audio quality - mostly a small sacrifice to bass. Compared to similar products, like the Shokz OpenRun or OpenFit, I’d argue these are a step above. Consider typical use cases are outdoor or office environments where you want to hear people (or vehicles). Two notably frustrating issues: First, fitment requires experimentation. Personally, I need to rotate the earbuds slightly forward to lock the tips in my ear. Sony does offer a larger silicone cover (free on request) to assist. Second, the charging case should support wireless charging. There is simply no excuse for omitting that feature. Where these shine: If you need open wireless headphones that don’t sit over or hang on your ear, these are really your only option. (Unless Samsung decides to resurrect the Galaxy Buds Live earbuds.) I enjoy using these outside, as they don’t interfere with glasses nor create odd tan lines bone conduction models can. Bonus: If you suffer with tinnitus, these may be more comfortable than typical in-ear headphones. Although I’d strongly consider Shokz’s OpenRun series for this use case.

If you're looking at these earbuds, then im assuming you know they won't have the best sound quality or that there is absolutely no sound cancelling, digital or physical. If those are deal breakers, these buds aren't made for you. With that out of the way, this generation of the Linkbuds sound far better than the previous Linkbuds. I was genuinely surprised when I first tried them. They also look more premium than its previous version. That being said, the design is different. The new design looks better but seems to be less versatile. The previous version, with the right loop, could stay in my ear all day and i'd forget its there. The Open will fatigue my ear within and hour, though it seems like my ears might be adjusting over repeated use. Small nitpick, the shape of the case is a perfect square with no physical indication of its orientation. You'll need to fidle around before opening it without looking, which i do often.

Feel comfortable in the ear and have good battery life. Sound good, however on calls the other end complains about a buzzing noise in the background. Not loud but noticeable.

The new Linkbuds Open True Wireless earbuds from Sony are the latest in their line of open-air earbuds, well-known for class-leading headphone technology. It seems readily apparent to me that open-air earbuds by design are best suited for people who desire good quality audio yet still need to be aware of their surroundings. I think these would be perfect for people who like to listen to music or audio books while enjoying outdoor activities like jogging, walking, or simply working in the yard. It’s important to be able to hear what’s happening around you in those situations for obvious safety reasons. If you are looking for the overall best sound quality, especially focusing on the lower bass range of frequencies, then the open-air design is clearly not the best choice for you. The Linkbuds Open earbuds come in a stylish and pocketable rectangular case, which may at first appear confusing as to which is the bottom, and which is the top lid. Just remember the base has a matte-like finish and the lid is high gloss black, and you’ll be fine. The charging port at the rear of the case and below the hinge uses the common and universal USB-C connector, making it easy to share a cord with other similar devices. Almost everything I use now has a USB-C connector. On my case, the Sony logo is very faint, almost not legible for some reason. The earbuds feature a rather unique donut design that sits inside the outer ear canal, and I quickly discovered that at least in my case, it does require reading the instruction manual to insert them in your ears properly and in the right orientation. A small, pointed piece of soft pliable rubber fits into a crease above the ear canal to hold them securely without adding any uncomfortable pressure. It’s there to aid in keeping the earbuds from falling out during more vigorous activity like exercising. Note also that these are a one-design-fits-all, so there is really no way to adjust the fit and that could be an issue for some. The most important question when it comes to reviewing earbuds is…how do they sound? So far, I have been impressed with sound quality and just as important, they are quite comfortable. Deep bass is lacking, but that’s to be expected with the simple physics of open-air design as mentioned earlier. Like a lot of earbuds and wireless headphones these days, an app from Sony called Sound Connect is a necessity to install on your smartphone to get the most from your Linkbuds. The app offers several configuration options that include battery information, sound enhancements based on fit, a sound equalizer, and several more customization and optimization options. Additional features like 360 Reality Audio require a paid subscription, but it does offer with a trial version and the sample version in the app is remarkable. Some of the features that I liked most certainly include the equalizer, which I set to a bass boost preset. Another is head gestures, which allows head movements to answer or deny incoming phone calls. I always turn on any options that maximize sound quality, which includes a setting for Bluetooth connection quality and LE Audio Priority. If you listen to CD’s or MP3, the Linkbuds have a setting to enable DSEE, which is Sony’s own technology to enhance sound quality from compressed low-quality audio. There’s even an option to take an image of your ears to ensure proper fit for the best sound quality and comfort. Sony advertises a battery life of 22 hours with the charging case. A simple 3-minute charge provides 60 minutes of listening. I’ve been testing the earbuds for several days now and the earbuds remain fully charged while the case is still at 50%. For those times when I want a fully immersed music listening experience, I still prefer a “closed ear” set of earbuds complete with noise cancellation to block out all ambient sound. But for daily use when I need to be aware of what’s going on around me, I find the Sony Linkbuds Open to be the perfect and preferred choice. Rating these becomes difficult honestly as the sound might not be the best there is, but when judged in the open-air earbud category and for their intended use, I believe they deserve at least a 4-star above-average rating for their thoughtful design, decent sound and abundant features.

The Sony LinkBuds Open True Wireless Earbuds are just another amazing set of earbuds from Sony. While I love the sound and the feeling of blocking out the world of in-ear earbuds, there are often instances where being able to hear ambient sound is very important. For example, runners need to be able to hear traffic. Yes, there are earbuds that allow sound to pass through, but it is processed sound, not natural. The LinkBuds do block a very slight amount of sound, but not significant enough to matter. Sound Quality: I've owned a couple of different Sony earbuds and I've always been impressed with the sound quality Sony produces. The LinkBuds Open are no exception. I like the sound right out of the box. Highs are bright and crisp and the bass is good. But if you want to alter the sound to your taste, the Sony Sound Connect app includes an equalizer. Fit: The fitting process is unique, as far as I know, to Sony. They take a picture of your ear, which I'm assuming is then used to tweak the sound to accommodate your ear's shape. Speaking of fitting, be sure to follow directions from Sony on how to place the LinkBuds in your ears. Once properly placed the LinkBuds sit well in my ears and though the expected ear fatigue will eventually rear its ugly head, I've been able to wear them for extended periods with no problem. Added Features: I love the head tracking feature. When a call comes in, a quick yes head nod answers the call, or a no motion rejects it. Hands off and very nifty. And call quality is very good. Battery Life: Battery life is excellent. Sony suggest you should get close to 22 hours with the charging case, which I've found to be pretty accurate. The LinkBuds Open have become my go-to set of earbuds. Sound quality is excellent, and I love not feeling closed off from life.