Last month, Sony launched the new Linkbuds Open (WF-L910) – a successor to the Linkbuds (WF-LN900) that came out in 2022. The new open-ear wearable rocks an updated audio driver, a new design, longer battery life, and a slimmer profile. If you do not like the passive noise cancellation caused by the airtight fit of in-ear headphones, the Linkbuds Open are meant for you. Its doughnut-shaped design allows ambient sounds to pass through and keeps you in tune with your surroundings. The catch is that this TWS costs a whopping Rs 19,894. We used the earbuds for a week to find out if they justify the price tag. Here is our review of the Sony Linkbuds Open.
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In This Article
Sony Linkbuds Open (WF-L900) Review: Design
Here’s what you get inside Sony Linkbuds Open’s retail box:
- Charging case with earbuds inside
- USB Type-A to Type-C cable
- Reference guide
The compact charging case of the Linkbuds Open has a dual-tone finish. The glossy lid and the matte bottom are equally thick, offering a nice in-hand feel. This case easily slides into pockets without feeling bulky. A small LED indicator is positioned on the bottom section, right under the lid. The back of the case houses the USB Type-C port and the pairing button.
While the case is made out of plastic, it does not have any flex to it. The build quality feels premium and satisfying. The only drawback is that the glossy lid is bound to catch a few scratches if you routinely place it in pockets with keys and loose change. The inside of the case is all matte, with a slightly smoother finish on the cutouts.
The WF-L910 earbuds are slimmer compared to the WF-L900. Each earbud weighs 5.1 grams. The bulb-shaped unit houses the battery and the small ring contains the audio driver. The bulbous units are now encased in rubber coverings with attached ear hooks. The ring covers the ear canal instead of pushing inside it. The cavity within the ring allows for the passage of ambient sounds while the audio output flows through the grille.
The fish hooks improve the fit of the earbuds by a significant factor. It took us a few attempts to position them correctly, but once we got it right, the fit felt elite. The Linkbuds are certainly one of the most comfortable open-ear buds we’ve worn so far. Its touch controls, on the other hand, leave more to be desired. Instead of touching the earbuds, you can control the media playback by tapping the area in front of your ears. This process yielded inconsistent results. Sony’s companion app for Linkbuds lets you change the touch sensitivity, but it was generally a hit or miss for us.
The Linkbuds Open are rated IPX4 for dust and water resistance. We wore the earbuds on hikes and were satisfied with how the fit held up even when things got sweaty. The TWS did not throw any issues upon encountering sweat.
Sony Linkbuds Open (WF-L900) Review: Performance
Delivering the audio output on the Sony Linkbuds Open are 11mm dynamic drivers. The earbuds support 3 audio codecs – AAC, SBC, and LC3. The LC3 codec can only be accessed through Sony’s Sound Connect app. Its availability also depends on whether your device supports Bluetooth LE Audio.
Sony’s signature soundstage is instantly recognisable on the Linkbuds Open, but it suffers from the constraints of the earbud’s form factor. If you enjoy a warm surround of bass in the audio output, then these earbuds may not be for you. This is because an airtight fit and a direct passage of the audio output into the ear canal are necessary for a strong low-end. That is not the case here. However, compared to other open earbuds, the Sony Linkbuds produce an enjoyable listening experience.
The audio output produced by these earbuds is great for background listening when you’re occupied with other tasks. This makes it ideal for activities like hiking and working out. The Linkbuds are at their best when you’re in a public setting and need to be in tune with what’s going on in your surrounding area. Having said that, we were happy with the detail in the mix and the crispness of the output. The mid and low frequencies were well represented in the soundstage. The subtle hits of the clapper and crunchy guitar riffs were relayed quite well.
Even though it is a niche product, Sony has equipped the Linkbuds with a host of features. For starters, this TWS has multi-point connectivity. You can pair it with 2 devices and seamlessly switch between them. There are a range of equaliser profiles on offer, and if you don’t like any of them, you can always set up a custom profile that is more suited to your listening needs.
Our favourite feature on the Linkbuds is the ‘Background Music Effect’. It perfectly fits the niche that the product is catering to. When it is turned on, the audio output takes a backseat and lets more of the ambient sounds pass through. It feels as though the audio output is emanating from a distance.
The speak-to-chat function makes two-way communication much easier without needing to pause the music. It recognises the sound of your voice and lowers the audio output so you can talk to someone else. After a period of silence, the output is reverted to its initial setting. Other Sony-exclusive features like DSEE and 360 Reality Audio are also available for these earbuds.
The calling experience on the Sony Linkbuds Open is pretty standard and on par with other TWS in its category. In an indoor setting, the Linkbuds do a good job of extracting the sound of the speaker from the ambient noise and relaying it to the listener. However, in outdoor noisy conditions, the surrounding sound creeps in and you’re better off using your phone’s microphone.
The Sony Linkbuds Open makes improvements on the battery front as well. While its predecessor (WF-L900) offered a 5.5-hour battery life, the WF-L910 takes it to 8 hours with an additional 13 hours in the case. During the review period, we used the Sony Linkbuds Open every day for 3-4 hours. Our routine tasks included listening to music and attending online meetings. By the end of the 6th day, we had to plug in the charger and replenish the TWS’ battery. The Linkbuds Open took almost 90 minutes to fully charge.
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Verdict
As a niche product, the Sony Linkbuds Open towers over its competitors. Its clean design, compact form factor, and diverse range of functions make it a clear winner. The audio output is balanced and rich with details. If you like listening to music in the background while doing other tasks, these earbuds will fit your needs nicely. They are also a great product for users who do not like the sound isolation that regular earbuds create, be it passive or active. When you use the Linkbuds, you are well aware of your surroundings. The Rs 19,894 price tag is a little steep, but what you get for the price is the best product in the category.
Sony Linkbuds Open (WF-L910): Pros
- Clean design
- Balanced audio
- Amazing range of features
Sony Linkbuds Open (WF-L910): Cons
- Needs better touch controls
- Bit pricey
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