Just when we thought headphones had evolved to their most advanced form, a new design appeared. Sony’s LinkBuds wireless headphones deviate from the ubiquitous “bud” design aesthetic to feature an open-loop design.
The advantage of this design, according to Sony, is that it means the user doesn’t need to turn it off all the time to hear what’s going on in the outside world. They can continue to listen to their music, while the unit’s main loop player diaphragm remains open so they can hear sounds from outside, as if someone were calling their name.
Given this unusual design, the question naturally arises: does it affect the quality of my listening experience? … Sony confirms that it will not affect.
LinkBuds weigh just 4 grams with an incredible amount of technology. To make conversations audible in noisy environments, it features audio capture technology powered by an AI algorithm that blocks out ambient noise and extracts the user’s voice. LinkBuds also integrate with Microsoft Soundscape, incorporating compass/gyroscope sensors that can detect the direction of your head and allow you to hear sound from specific directions.
Credit: Sony Clarity and detail in the music or sound you listen to is enhanced by LinkBud’s Digital Audio Enhancement Engine (DSEE), says Sony. The 12mm loop driver works with the built-in Sony V1 processor that is tuned to capture detail in the audio being played, while reducing distortion.
We were also told that the controls support the versatile functionality of LinkBuds. LinkBuds will feature contactless control via Wide Area Tap that lets you tap the air in front of your ears either two or three times to adjust playback, while Speak to Chat will automatically pause the music as soon as you speak. and automatically resume once your conversation is over.
LinkBuds will also integrate with the Spotify music app. Users will be able to resume Spotify playback using Spotify Tap so they don’t need to touch their smartphone.
As for the battery, the information promises up to 5.5 hours of playback on a single charge, with an additional 12 hours obtained when combined with its case. It will be available in Australia from April 2022 with a launch price of A$299.95.