Sony LinkBuds Open vs Sony LinkBuds
Elisabeth Christ
Updated October 2024
The Sony LinkBuds Open and the original Sony LinkBuds are designed for users who prioritize staying connected to their surroundings without compromising on audio quality. While both share Sony’s ethos of blending functionality with advanced sound engineering, they each offer distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences and scenarios. Whether it’s the innovative design of the LinkBuds Open or the refined simplicity of the original LinkBuds, choosing between these two models requires a closer look at their design, features, and overall performance.
Key Takeaways
The Sony LinkBuds Open shines with its open-ear design, perfect for users who prioritize environmental awareness and comfort, while the original Sony LinkBuds offers a more traditional in-ear fit with robust sound customization options. The Open model’s longer battery life and enhanced codec support may appeal to those seeking extended use and modern connectivity, whereas the original LinkBuds provide slightly better noise isolation and sound clarity. Each excels in its own right, depending on the user's needs.
Sony LinkBuds Open
Donut-like Earbuds with Built-in Ambient Mode
✓ 11-millimeter speaker driver
✓ IPX4-rating splashproof
✓ Sony’s Integrated V2 chip
✓ Head tracking for 360 Audio experience
Sony LinkBuds
Donut-like Earbuds that Focuses on Mid and High Frequencies
✓ 12mm drivers
✓ Ear-detection sensors
✓ Sony’s Integrated V1 chip
✓ Bluetooth 5.2 and supports the AAC codec
#1 Design & Fit
Sony LinkBuds Open
The Sony LinkBuds Open stands out with its futuristic donut-shaped open eartips, delivering an "open-ear" listening experience. This design, powered by 11mm drivers, ensures environmental awareness while offering clear, dynamic sound. The buds are ultra-lightweight, with each weighing just 4 grams, making them a breeze to wear throughout the day. Adding to the comfort, Sony introduced silicone “Air Fitting Supporters” that reduce pressure points, ensuring a snug fit that doesn’t compromise long-term comfort. Additionally, with its IPX4 rating, the LinkBuds Open is splash-resistant, making it a solid companion for light outdoor activities or workouts.
Sony LinkBuds
On the other hand, the original Sony LinkBuds also focus on a lightweight build, coming in at the same 4 grams per earbud. They feature a more traditional design compared to the Open model but retain the airy and minimalistic aesthetic. These come equipped with detachable silicone ear fins (Arc Supporters) in five different sizes, ensuring a customizable fit that feels secure during everyday use. The use of recycled plastic in their construction also reflects Sony's eco-friendly approach. While the original LinkBuds don't have the same open-ear philosophy as the Open variant, they deliver excellent comfort and wearability for users who prefer a more enclosed fit.
#2 Features & Performance
• Noise Cancelling
Sony LinkBuds Open
When it comes to noise cancellation, the Sony LinkBuds Open takes a different approach. Instead of relying on active noise cancellation (ANC), it utilizes its open-ear design to provide environmental awareness while still delivering rich sound. This might appeal to those who prioritize staying attuned to their surroundings, especially in urban settings. The noise isolation is, by nature, limited, but this is intentional, allowing external sounds to mix seamlessly with your music.
In contrast, the original Sony LinkBuds are not equipped with ANC either, but their semi-enclosed design provides a more passive form of noise isolation. While they don’t completely block out external sound, they do create a tighter seal, which can help reduce ambient noise to a certain extent. This makes them slightly more effective in environments where some noise reduction is preferred but not critical.
• Sound Adjustments
Sony LinkBuds
Sony equipped the LinkBuds Open with its V2 chip and support for SBC, AAC, and LC3 codecs. These, paired with the Dynamix Driver X technology, result in an airy yet precise sound signature that’s perfect for vocal clarity and detailed instrumentals. However, the bass may feel less punchy, favoring a more open and natural sound experience. Users can tweak sound profiles through Sony's EQ settings, but the Open model shines best for those who prefer a balanced, less bass-heavy experience.
The original Sony LinkBuds come with Sony's V1 processor, which offers slightly different sound tuning capabilities. While they lack support for Sony's LDAC codec, they still deliver a surprisingly clear and accurate sound, with bass that's sufficient for most listeners but not overpowering. The sound adjustments via the Sony Headphones Connect app allow for extensive customization, and the Speak-to-Chat feature ensures automatic pausing of music during conversations, adding a touch of practicality to everyday use.
• Ambient mode
Sony LinkBuds Open
The LinkBuds Open’s ambient mode is built into its very design. The open-ear structure ensures you’re always connected to your surroundings without needing to switch between modes. Sony has improved the ambient mode performance, making it even more seamless for activities like running or commuting in urban areas where situational awareness is crucial.
Similarly, the original LinkBuds offer an impressive ambient mode. Though not as inherently open as the Open variant, they are designed with an emphasis on transparency, allowing external sounds to filter in naturally. The ambient mode in the original LinkBuds can be manually adjusted through the Sony Headphones Connect app, giving users more control over how much outside noise they want to let in.
#3 Battery Life & Connectivity
Sony LinkBuds
Battery life is another area where these two models diverge. The Sony LinkBuds Open boasts an 8-hour battery life on the earbuds, with an additional 14 hours from the charging case, giving you a total of 22 hours of listening time. The Open also supports Bluetooth 5.3 with multi-device connectivity, making it ideal for users who switch frequently between devices. Additionally, a 3-minute quick charge provides up to 1 hour of music playback, making it highly convenient for quick top-ups on the go.
The original Sony LinkBuds, on the other hand, offer slightly less battery life, with around 5 hours and 41 minutes from the earbuds themselves and an additional 12 hours from the case, totaling about 17 hours. While it also supports fast charging (10 minutes for 90 minutes of playback), the lower battery capacity might be a consideration for those needing longer listening times. Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity ensures a stable connection, though it lacks the multipoint pairing found in the LinkBuds Open.
Sony LinkBuds Open vs Sony LinkBuds
Final Thoughts
Sony LinkBuds Open vs Sony LinkBuds
In the battle between the Sony LinkBuds Open and the original Sony LinkBuds, it comes down to personal preference. If you value situational awareness, sleek design, and extended battery life, the LinkBuds Open is the better fit. However, for those who prefer a more traditional earbud with solid sound quality, customizations, and slightly better passive noise isolation, the original LinkBuds will not disappoint. Both are compelling options within Sony’s ecosystem, each delivering on their promises with distinct flair.
If you like to read more about wireless earbuds, check out our other relevant guides here:
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JBL Live Beam 3 vs JBL Live Flex 3
JBL Live Buds 3 vs JBL Live Pro 2
JBL Live Buds 3 vs JBL Live Beam 3
JBL Live Buds 3 vs JBL Live Flex 3
Author
Elisabeth Christ
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