Sony LinkBuds Clip: A Promising Design, But Do They Justify the Price?

Sony, a titan in audio innovation, has once again pushed boundaries with its LinkBuds series, known for their unique open-ear designs. Following the distinctive donut-hole LinkBuds and LinkBuds Open, the company introduces its first clip-style earbuds: the LinkBuds Clip. Designed for those who want to stay connected to their surroundings while enjoying audio, these new earbuds promise comfort and quality. However, at a premium price point of $229.99, do they truly offer enough to stand out in an increasingly competitive market? Our in-depth review explores whether Sony’s latest open-ear offering hits the mark.

Innovative Design Meets Everyday Comfort

The LinkBuds Clip adopt a popular ear-cuff style, gracefully wrapping around the ear helix. A compact spherical speaker sits just outside the ear canal, connected by a flexible band to a larger, capsule-shaped housing resting externally. Sony’s aesthetic choice leans towards subtle sophistication, with slightly glossy enclosures available in subdued tones like lavender, green, greige (a grayish beige), and black. Customization is also a key feature, with five interchangeable case covers (black, green, blue, coral, lavender) allowing users to personalize their look.

Finding Your Perfect Fit

Achieving the ideal fit with open-ear designs can be subjective, and the LinkBuds Clip are no exception. While designed to sit midway up the ear, individual ear anatomies may require adjustment. Our reviewer found a slightly lower placement more comfortable. Initially, the fit felt somewhat loose compared to alternatives like the Shokz OpenDots One. Sony addresses this with included silicone “cushions” that wrap around the band, providing a more secure fit. With these cushions, the earbuds became remarkably comfortable, allowing for extended wear — even an entire workday — without discomfort, a testament to their lightweight and ambient-sound-allowing nature. However, those with larger ears might experience a slight pinch, even without the cushions.

Sound Profile: Clarity Over Thump

The open-ear design inherently presents challenges for bass delivery, and the LinkBuds Clip are no exception. While the sound is generally good for this category, audiophiles seeking deep, thumping bass might find them lacking. Interestingly, the silicone cushions, while improving fit, slightly altered the sound balance by positioning the speakers a touch farther from the ear canal, resulting in a minor reduction in bass presence.

Listening Modes and Customization

Sony offers three primary listening modes: Standard, Voice Boost, and Sound Leakage Reduction. Standard mode delivers the most natural audio, with clear midrange and balanced higher frequencies. Voice Boost enhances vocal presence, ideal for podcasts and news, though it can become fatiguing during longer music sessions. The Sound Leakage Reduction mode, while intended to minimize disturbance to others, significantly compromises high-end response, making music sound muffled and dull. Fortunately, leakage was minimal even in standard modes.

For those who like to fine-tune their audio, Sony’s Sound Connect app provides presets and a robust 10-band equalizer. This allows users to adjust specific frequency ranges, such as boosting bass and low mids for rock tracks like Soundgarden’s “Spoonman.” Sony’s DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) also makes an appearance, offering a subtle improvement to compressed audio quality.

Unrivaled Call Clarity: A Standout Feature

Where the LinkBuds Clip truly excel is in their call quality. Equipped with a new AI noise-reduction chip and a bone-conduction sensor, these earbuds are engineered to isolate and focus on the wearer’s voice, effectively suppressing ambient noise. Our testing in bustling urban environments confirmed this capability; callers consistently reported clear audio, with traffic noise significantly minimized. While occasional gusts of wind or distant sirens might briefly intrude, these moments were fleeting, underscoring the impressive performance of Sony’s call technology. This feature alone makes them a compelling choice for professionals or anyone frequently making calls on the go.

The Verdict: Premium Price, Mixed Features

The Sony LinkBuds Clip offer a comfortable open-ear listening experience with commendable sound quality for their design type and exceptional call clarity. However, their $229.99 price tag positions them at the higher end of the market, and some expected features are notably absent, such as wireless charging. While the ability to customize with case covers is a nice touch, it doesn’t fully offset the lack of more advanced functionalities found in similarly priced competitors.

Ultimately, the LinkBuds Clip are a solid first attempt by Sony in the clip-earbud segment. They are an excellent choice for users prioritizing ambient awareness, comfort for long wear, and superior call quality. However, those seeking robust bass, a more secure out-of-the-box fit (without cushions), or a broader feature set for the price might want to explore other options. Sony has delivered a comfortable and capable open-ear solution, but it leaves room for refinement in future iterations to truly justify its premium cost.

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