In February, Sony had created the surprise with the LinkBuds, headphones true-wireless type thumbnails open fit (open), which does not insulate from the outside. The manufacturer is back with the LinkBuds S (S for Silence), a more classic model, but which remains very compact, and above all only costs 199 euros, a price similar to that of Apple’s third generation AirPods – which offers far fewer functions.
In comparison, the manufacturer’s high-end WF-1000XM4 headphones are positioned at around 250 euros, and it will cost 219 euros for the future Pixel Buds Pro, from Google.
Stemless, LinkBuds S weigh just 4.8g per earbud and are sweat resistant (IPX4 certified). They offer active noise reduction (ANC) thanks to the V1 processor, already present in the LinkBuds. On the sound side, they have 5mm speakers, as well as the manufacturer’s LDAC high-definition audio codec. A future update will provide compatibility with the new Bluetooth LE Audio standard, providing very low latency for gamers.
In addition, the headphones play the spatial sound card with technology 360 RealityAudio from Sony, but also the arrival of augmented audio reality (adding game sounds to the existing sound environment). Thus, the manufacturer has partnered with the publisher Niantic to offer this technology in its game. Ingress before summer.
The LinkBuds S benefit from functions already found on other models such as the Speak to Chat (the music stops as soon as you start speaking) and theAdaptive Sound Control (adjust sound settings depending on where you are).
Sony announces a battery life of six hours with noise reduction activated (nine hours without ANC), plus an additional 14 hours thanks to the charging case, (alas) not compatible with the Qi wireless standard.
Also see video:
The LinkBuds will be available at the end of May in three colors (black, white or beige).