Sony's LinkBuds Clip earbuds are an open-fit design that attaches securely to your ear while leaving the ear canal unobstructed, offering a comfortable fit and allowing for easy wear all day. However, this style isn't enough to set the clip-on design apart from the competition.
In terms of features, Sony has included responsive controls along the connector between the two cylindrical housings, but the company's typical midrange line usually comes with a host of conveniences like tap controls, EQ options, and voice recognition features. The LinkBuds Clip lacks these extras, which may disappoint some users who want more.
One notable feature is Voice Boost, which increases the volume of voices in noisy environments, but it can also result in an extreme treble boost that's not well-suited for music. Additionally, Sound Leakage Reduction dials back high-pitched tones to avoid annoying neighbors, but this tuning doesn't sound great compared to the default setting.
Audio quality is another area where the LinkBuds Clip falls short. The earbuds struggle to produce adequate low-end tone, resulting in a lackluster bass response, particularly in genres like hip-hop and electronic music. However, they do provide good clarity and a solid soundstage, which is still better than many other open-fit earbuds on the market.
Battery life is another concern for these earbuds, as Sony's promised nine-hour runtime was never met during testing. In Standard mode with DSEE upscaling set to automatic, the LinkBuds Clip lasted just over six hours, with only a three-minute charge providing an hour of playback time.
Compared to other options in this emerging clip-on category, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds still stand out as one of the best, despite being bulkiest and more expensive at $299. Anker's Soundcore AeroClip is another contender that's now priced at $170, while JLab's Flex Open Earbuds offer a budget-friendly option for just $40.
Overall, the LinkBuds Clip expands Sony's midrange lineup with an innovative design, but it doesn't do enough to distinguish itself from competitors in terms of features and audio quality. While they work as intended without being flashy or overly complicated, there are other options available that offer better performance at various price points.
In terms of features, Sony has included responsive controls along the connector between the two cylindrical housings, but the company's typical midrange line usually comes with a host of conveniences like tap controls, EQ options, and voice recognition features. The LinkBuds Clip lacks these extras, which may disappoint some users who want more.
One notable feature is Voice Boost, which increases the volume of voices in noisy environments, but it can also result in an extreme treble boost that's not well-suited for music. Additionally, Sound Leakage Reduction dials back high-pitched tones to avoid annoying neighbors, but this tuning doesn't sound great compared to the default setting.
Audio quality is another area where the LinkBuds Clip falls short. The earbuds struggle to produce adequate low-end tone, resulting in a lackluster bass response, particularly in genres like hip-hop and electronic music. However, they do provide good clarity and a solid soundstage, which is still better than many other open-fit earbuds on the market.
Battery life is another concern for these earbuds, as Sony's promised nine-hour runtime was never met during testing. In Standard mode with DSEE upscaling set to automatic, the LinkBuds Clip lasted just over six hours, with only a three-minute charge providing an hour of playback time.
Compared to other options in this emerging clip-on category, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds still stand out as one of the best, despite being bulkiest and more expensive at $299. Anker's Soundcore AeroClip is another contender that's now priced at $170, while JLab's Flex Open Earbuds offer a budget-friendly option for just $40.
Overall, the LinkBuds Clip expands Sony's midrange lineup with an innovative design, but it doesn't do enough to distinguish itself from competitors in terms of features and audio quality. While they work as intended without being flashy or overly complicated, there are other options available that offer better performance at various price points.
. I mean, the design is pretty cool with that clip-on thingy, but it's not like they're game changers or anything. I'd expect more features, especially for the price. The audio quality is okay, but I've had better low-end tone from other earbuds. And don't even get me started on the battery life - 6 hours is pretty weak for a day's use 
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. But if you want better sound quality or features, I'd still shop around for other options like those Bose Ultra Earbuds or Anker's Soundcore AeroClip 
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like these Sony LinkBuds Clip! I mean, if you're gonna clip them onto your ear, just give me a decent low-end sound 
. And don't even get me started on the battery life - 6 hours is not enough for a full day of studying or listening to lectures 
. Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds are still my go-to, and I think Anker's Soundcore AeroClip is worth checking out if you're on a budget 
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. The LinkBuds Clip is comfy and gets the job done, which says something about prioritizing practicality over perfection. And let's be real, sometimes you gotta make do with what you've got and find ways to make the most of it.
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. And don't even get me started on the audio quality, it's like they took all the low-end tone from a sad trombone 
. But hey, if you're in the market for an open-fit earbud that won't break the bank ($170), Anker's Soundcore AeroClip is still the way to go IMHO 
anyway i'm still waiting for more affordable options that don't sacrifice quality too much 
but now I'm not so sure 
. And don't even get me started on the audio quality - I was expecting so much more bass, especially in genres like hip-hop and electronic music 
. I mean, I'd still consider getting 'em if they were cheaper, but now that I see all the other options out there, I'm not sure if they're worth the hype