Sony-LinkBuds-Criticreviewer-Rating
Sony Middle East announced the Sony LinkBuds for the UAE market and the media was invited to the launch event in Dubai we got our hands on the device for unboxing and review of the product.
As you are aware Sony is a well-known brand for technology devices and audio products. Sony has launched headphones and earphones like WH-1000XM4, WF-1000XM3 and WF-C500 and one of the important highlights is the eco-friendly packaging and sustainability products.
The Sony LinkBuds is the latest audio device that has a unique design and features which makes the product different from other audio devices.
Specs & Details
The Sony LinkBuds case comes with the dimension of 41.4 x 48.5 x 30.9mm and weighs 34 grams and the earbuds weigh 4.1 grams each. The case and earbuds cover are made of recyclable material from automobile parts. The review unit which we received is white colour and also available in Gray colour.
The Sony LinkBuds earbuds are IPX4 rated, so the earbuds are water splashes, sweat and dust resistant. The charging case is not IPX4 rated.
The earbuds come with Open, Dynamic earbuds and have high power neodymium magnets and have a range of 20Hz -20,000Hz (44.1kHz sampling). The earbuds work on the latest Bluetooth 5.2 version which has an effective range of 10meters. It works on a 2.4Ghz band and supports SBC, AAC formats.
The Sony LinkBuds case comes with 12hrs battery life and the earbuds come with 5.5hrs of battery life. So you get a total of 17.5hours of battery life.
The Review
The Sony LinkBuds came in recyclable packaging with no plastic. Sony has been working on sustainability and recyclable material for the packaging and products reflecting Sony’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of their products. Once you open the package you will find the Sony LinkBuds case with the earbuds. Below the earbuds, you will find the USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable and 5 sizes of arc support to suit different ear shapes.
The Sony LinkBuds case is quite compact and light weighing 34 grams. The case is made out of recyclable plastic and the rounded edges design of the case makes it comfortable to carry in the pocket. The case is quite sturdy and withstands average accidental falls. The case is not IPX4 rated, so it is not recommended to carry it near the water areas and if dust enters the case, then it is recommended to clean the case with a soft cloth, especially the charging pins.
The design of the earbuds is different and unique from the regular earbuds I have so far reviewed or seen in the market. The earbuds come with high power neodymium magnets. The design is very different, it has a ring hole design that allows the airflow to pass through and avoids blocking the airflow in the ear which helps with the balance of the body during heavy workouts/exercises. A newly developed ring-type driver unit with the centre of the diaphragm open for audio transparency allows you to clearly hear the sounds around you. So, you’ll hear when someone calls your name during a call and can chat with friends while listening to music.
The earbuds have an Integrated Processor V1, 12mm ring driver with a high compliance (low recoil) diaphragm that provides rich, well-balanced sound.
The Sony LinkBuds come with Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) which helps to restore the high-frequency elements that add detail and richness to the compressed original music source. Adaptive Volume Control is a smart function that automatically optimizes volume based on where you are. Enjoy lower volume in quiet places and higher volume in noisier environments.
The earbuds come with precise voice pickup technology with advanced audio signal processing and noise reduction algorithm using AI machine learning to help to produce ultra-clear and noise-free calls.
Sony LinkBuds has a Wide Area Tap, where you can use double or triple taps in front of either of your ears to control your music playback – so there’s no need to touch the LinkBuds themselves to operate.
Sony LinkBuds support Google’s helpful new Fast Pair feature. You can control the earbuds with hands-free help just by saying “OK Google” or “Alexa” to activate your preferred voice assistant. You can also listen to and interact with your emails in Microsoft Outlook and join Microsoft Teams using Google Assistant or Siri. Swift Pair makes it quick and easy to pair your LinkBuds with your Windows 11 or Windows 10 laptop, desktop PC or tablet. You can also set up Spotify with quick access playback with just a couple of taps – no need to touch your smartphone.
With the help of the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app on your phone, you can add more earbud control and sound equalizer. Another feature Speak-to-Chat which has been Sony’s most interesting feature for the user automatically pause the music as soon as you speak to someone, so you can hear just ambient sound and conduct a conversation. And once your chat is over, your music starts playing again automatically. This is based on Precise Voice Pickup Technology, with advanced audio signal processing.
Sound Quality
Sony is known for providing the best sound-producing earbuds like WH-1000XM4 and WF-1000XM3. The Sony LinkBuds have very good Treble and Mids, Bass is a little weak in rumble compared to other Hi-res audio earbuds. But after a long time of listening, the ear adjusts to the sound and doesn’t feel the loss. Due to the design, the earbuds allow the ambient sound into the ear while listening which helps you to be aware of the surrounding.
Recommendation for the users.
The design of the earbuds makes it perfect for people who love to wear the earbuds for long hours without getting irritated or sweating. The ring design helps to circulate air in the ear without reducing the quality of the sound.
Price and Availability
The Sony LinkBuds come in White and Gray colours. Priced at AED 849, Sony LinkBuds will be available in the UAE from 16th April 2022 at the Sony Boutique Store at The Dubai Mall and Sony MOE at Mall of the Emirates.
Verdict
I would recommend the Sony LinkBuds for people who are into daily workouts like cardio, weights and anything which makes a consumer sweaty with heavy exercise. It also makes it safe for the people who like to walk on the street wearing earbuds without blocking the ambient noise and keeping awareness of the surroundings. It is also good for the drivers/ riders to use them better than other earbuds which block the surrounding noise. The IPX4 rated earbuds are also protected from sweat, and water splash. The price is placed on the little higher side but looking at the feature, design and sound quality, the price looks perfect for the consumer.
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