Last summer I came across the Sony LinkBuds S. These are one of the best earbuds for small ears, and right now you can buy them for as little as $128. Big deal! There are four different colors available: black, white, earth blue, and violet. Notably, the earth blue color is made from factory-recovered plastic and reclaimed water bottles, giving both the case and the buds a cute, ocean-like aesthetic.
Sony LinkBuds S case and accessories
Let’s start by talking about the case. It charges via USB-C, with no wireless charging option. It’s compact, lightweight, and features a soft-touch finish with a magnetic closure to keep your earbuds secure. The earbuds themselves also attach magnetically to their charging ports. Inside the box, you’ll find a USB 2.0 to USB-C cable and three sizes of silicone eartips (small, medium, and large). The medium size comes pre-installed.
I highly recommend testing each size for the best fit. The Sony Headphones Connect app even includes a fit test to help you out. Using the right size ensures the best ANC quality. While I personally prefer memory foam tips, the provided silicone tips work just fine.
Sony LinkBuds S comfort and fit
Speaking of fit, I have smaller ears, and finding earbuds that don’t cause discomfort is often a challenge. These earbuds are impressively comfortable. They’re shallow in depth, which means they don’t press too hard against the back of my outer ear. They’re also lightweight, so they’re barely noticeable when worn. Plus, they’re IPX4-rated for light sweat resistance, and they stay securely in place even during rigorous movement.
Sony LinkBuds S battery life
Battery life is solid: six hours from the earbuds and an additional 14 hours from the case, aligning with Sony’s claims. A full charge takes about two hours for the earbuds and three hours for the case. If you’re in a rush, a quick five-minute charge provides up to an hour of playback – a feature I found very handy.
Sony LinkBuds S sound quality
Now, let’s dive into sound quality. I’ve been educating myself on audiophile-grade audio and recently tested the Sony LinkBuds S with various genres – from electronic music and classic rock to J-pop and lo-fi gaming soundtracks. The earbuds feature 5mm drivers and Sony’s integrated V1 processor, which enhances noise cancellation. Using AAC with my Samsung S23 Ultra (they also support LDAC and SBC), I found the sound to be loud and clear without distortion. I never needed to push the volume beyond 60-70%.
Vocals, especially in songs by artists like Air, were bright and warm with excellent range. Stereo separation was impressive, as demonstrated in tracks like “Ghostwriter” by RJD2. The bass was punchy yet clear, even in 1990s hip-hop tracks. I also tested these with my cousin’s band, and was thrilled by the clarity of each instrument and the warmth of the vocals. The guitar sounded particularly bright and super enjoyable.
Performance for videos and calls
The earbuds lack a low-latency mode, but I noticed minimal lag when watching YouTube videos or podcasts. The tap controls are simple to use and customizable through the app. For example, I set the left earbud to control playback instead of noise cancellation. While there’s no swiping functionality, the touch sensors work well for basic commands.
Noise cancellation and ambient sound
The proximity sensors are another highlight. Removing an earbud pauses the music, and reinserting it resumes playback seamlessly. Ambient mode allows you to control how much outside noise filters through, and I appreciated the minimal white noise compared to other earbuds. The ANC isn’t as powerful as in higher-end models, but it effectively reduces background noises like fans and air conditioning.
One unique feature is adaptive sound control, which switches between ambient and noise-canceling modes based on your activity and location. It’s customizable and works well, though I noticed a slight delay when switching modes.
Customization options
The equalizer customization is another plus. Depending on the type of music I was listening to, I could adjust the settings for stronger bass or brighter vocals. Multi-point connection is supported, but I had trouble connecting the earbuds to two smartphones simultaneously. They worked flawlessly, however, with a smartphone and a Chromebook.
Voice assistant integration
The earbuds also integrate with voice assistants like Google Assistant. I set mine up so that holding either earbud activates the assistant, which worked smoothly.
My thoughts on Sony LinkBuds S
So, would I buy these for $130? Definitely! They’re a great deal. The sound quality is excellent, the fit is comfortable, and the battery life is dependable. I’d love to see wireless charging and improved ANC in future models, but for under $150, these are a solid buy.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to read my latest review of the best earbuds for side sleepers 😉 .
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