Sony Linkbuds Open Review: Better Battery, Softer Sound

Even after I got the fit right, I noticed a darker, fuzzier sound signature than what I experienced in the original pair. This seems to be by design, as one of the main complaints before was a lack of bass, something with which nearly all open earbuds struggle. The new buds add some more punch down low, but it comes at the cost of clarity and presence in the midrange and treble.

Luckily, Sony’s Sound Connect app provides a capable EQ, and after some tinkering with the Excitement preset, including lowering the Clear Bass feature and raising the midrange a notch or two, I was able to squeeze out more crispness in instrumental attacks for everything from snares and guitars to vocals and horns. I still never got things as clear or vibrant as Bose’s pair, but at $100 less, that’s not all that surprising, and I think Sony gets the win for bass.

Open Season

You’re not really buying open earbuds for their sound quality, especially if you’re a picky audiophile like me. They’re much more about melding the vibes of your two realities: blasting podcasts or your favorite ‘80s playlist while keeping in touch with the world (and other humans). WIRED editor Adrienne So loves open earbuds for the gym or other public places where she feels more assured no one is sneaking up on her.

They’re also great for situations where regular buds simply don’t cut it. Like my beloved Bose Frames or the Ray-Ban Meta audio sunglasses, the Linkbuds are great for staying safe while cruising on your bike or ebike on a crisp fall day, where the wind shear would naturally overwhelm the tiny microphones in traditional buds using transparency mode.

I was also genuinely amazed at how well the Linkbuds Open suppressed exterior sounds during calls. On a recent chat with my mom, I could barely hear my own voice as I rolled the dumpsters in from the street, but she hardly noticed the bellowing of the plastic tires covering my voice–and she always lets me know when I’m too loud.

If I could only afford one pair, I’d still choose more rounded earbuds that can snuff out or let in the ambient world with noise canceling or transparency mode respectively, like Apple’s excellent AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends). I’d also consider the cheaper original Linkbuds, though the battery life is more limiting. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a pair that keeps you naturally present in virtually any scenario, and you don’t mind all the chaos that comes with it, the Linkbuds Open are a solid new option in this still-evolving segment.