Sony Linkbuds S

The reviewer finds the Sony LinkBuds S to be a strong ANC earbud option, praising their extremely light and compact design, effective noise cancellation, and balanced sound out of the box. However, they criticize the confusing LinkBuds branding, the touch controls that are prone to accidental activation, and the less comfortable flat shape compared to other earbuds. Overall, they are impressed and consider them a compelling buy at $199.

The reviewer, an audio engineer, provides an in-depth comparison of the Sony LinkBuds S against other premium earbuds, highlighting their compact size, comfort, and natural sound, but notes significant drawbacks like the lack of independent left earbud use and missing wireless charging. Overall, they find the LinkBuds S a solid mid-tier option with good ANC and transparency, though not the best in class.

The reviewer finds the Sony LinkBuds S to be a solid middle-ground option between the original LinkBuds and the flagship WF-1000XM4, offering excellent comfort, lightweight design, and good active noise cancellation for the price. However, he notes the build quality feels cheap, and the lack of features like wireless charging and multi-point connection is disappointing at the $200 price point. Ultimately, he suggests they are worth considering if you prioritize comfort and ANC, but recommends comparing them with other options in the same price range.

The reviewer finds the Sony LinkBuds S to be a compelling mid-range option that competes well with the pricier flagship WF-1000XM4, offering excellent active noise cancellation, a much smaller and lighter design, and good sound quality. They note some compromises like a slightly dark sound profile and limited touch control customization, but overall consider them a solid, fun pair of earbuds.