Sony has upgraded its second-generation LinkBuds earbuds with improved designs and performance.
The Sony LinkBuds Fit (left) have a noise-isolating design while the LinkBuds Open (right) have an open design.
While it doesn’t look like Sony is going to release a new set of WH-1000XM6 flagship over-ear headphones this year, it has introduced two new LinkBuds earbuds, the LinkBuds Fit and LinkBuds Open. Both cost $200 and come in multiple color options along with optional customizable accessories, including swappable fins and case covers that come in a variety of colors. They’re available for preorder now.
I’ve been playing around with the new buds for the last few days and have been impressed with the improvements Sony has made to both models’ designs and performance.
I liked the original LinkBuds and thought their ring driver was innovative, but they didn’t fit everybody’s ears equally well. The new LinkBuds Open are slightly smaller with an « evolved geometric form » that does improve their fit. They also sound better.
Meanwhile, the new LinkBuds Fit are Sony’s response to Beats’ popular Fit Pro earbuds. Lightweight and compact, they’re the noise-isolating sibling to the LinkBuds Open and seem more like a second cousin to the LinkBuds S, which will remain in the line. When in your ears, it’s actually a little hard to tell the two new models apart; both feature Sony’s new Air Fitting Supporters, which are essentially sport fins.
Here are my quick first impressions of both models. I’ll have full reviews in the coming days, so so stay tuned for those.Sony LinkBuds Open hands-on early impressions
While the LinkBuds retain their ring-shaped open driver — these buds have no ear tips — it’s slightly smaller than the original’s driver (11mm vs. 12mm). Also, the Air Fitting Supporters are an improvement over the original’s Arc Supporters, which were quite slim and didn’t conform to the shape of your ear as well as these new supporters do.
The combination of the slightly smaller driver design and the new supporters should allow the buds to the fit more ears more comfortable and securely. However, I still think those with smaller ears may have some issues with them (I’m planning on having a few folks with smaller ears in the office try them on and get their impressions for my full review).
The LinkBuds Open have a slightly smaller design that should more ears better.
I personally got a very secure fit and was able to run with the buds without a problem (they’re IPX4 splash-proof). The originals created some pressure points for some folks. I had to fiddle around with their positioning in my ears from time to time, but I didn’t experience any pain points with the LinkBuds Fit. However, Apple’s new AirPods 4 were slightly more comfortable in my ears, though they didn’t fit as securely.
Aside from the fit, the other big change is to the sound quality. It’s definitely improved. Despite the smaller drivers, the buds play more loudly and also deliver a little more bass. The buds are equipped with Sony’s V2 digital processing chip and Sony says the driver’s have a « high-compliance diaphragm and powerful neodymium magnet » that were « specifically selected to reproduce clear mid and high frequency sound. »
The various LinkBuds accessory options for the buds and case.
They don’t sound quite as good as the LinkBuds Fit, but they’re among the best-sounding open earbuds and do feature clear, nicely detailed sound. They don’t deliver as much bass as the LinkBuds Fit and other noise premium noise-isolating buds, but in quieter environments anyway, you feel like there’s a relatively small drop-off in sound quality from noise-isolating buds. Also, like other open buds, their sound does have an open, airy quality to it.
