Sony LinkBuds Fit: Better Value Than WF-1000XM5?

LinkBuds Fit are small, light, and smart earbuds with excellent noise cancelling and ambient sound mode. They come in various colours and have customisable fitting supports and earbud tips for comfort and style.

Sony is back with a new set of earbuds—the LinkBuds Fit. This model has been carefully crafted with an emphasis on fit and comfort. Right from the name, Sony highlights the importance of a comfortable design in these earbuds. You might wonder if prioritizing fit has led to compromises in other features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), sound quality, mic performance, codecs, or software functionality, especially compared to Sony’s high-end WF-1000XM5 model. Surprisingly, the LinkBuds Fit not only maintain high standards but offer unique advantages at a more affordable $179 price point, compared to the XM5’s $259. Let’s dive into the details, starting with their design and comfort features.

The LinkBuds Fit aim to integrate the digital world of audio with the real world, creating a sense that you’re almost not wearing earbuds at all. At just 4.9 grams per bud, they are lightweight and designed with “Air Fitting Supporters” for a twist-lock fit. This allows the earbuds to sit comfortably and securely in your ears, despite being a one-size-fits-all model. They come with a customizable touch, as Sony offers replacement “Air Fitting Supporters” in multiple colors, letting users mix and match to create a unique look. The earbuds are available in four base colors: black, green, white, and a special violet edition. Customization extends to the case as well, which sports a distinctive mini-hamburger shape, allowing silicon covers in various colors. Notably, the materials used in both the earbuds and packaging are eco-friendly, with the box fully recyclable and each case showing a unique marble-like pattern.

Despite these innovations in design, sound quality is far from overlooked. The LinkBuds Fit features an 8.4 mm Dynamic Driver X—the same size and type as in the flagship XM5 model—giving it a surprisingly robust soundstage with balanced, open sound. They also support a wide range of codecs, including SBC, AAC, Bluetooth LE, and Sony’s proprietary LDAC, which offers three times the bit rate of regular codecs, enabling high-resolution audio. With a frequency range of 20 Hz to 40 kHz, these earbuds handle a wide range of audio, from bass-heavy to mid-range clarity, making them highly versatile. Additionally, the new Sony Connect app replaces the old headphones app, providing an upgraded user interface that features a “Find My Fit” tool to help users identify their ideal ear tip size.

Battery life is competitive, with 5.5 hours of listening time on a single charge (with ANC on) and up to 21 hours total with the case, which supports a 5-minute quick charge for an hour of playtime. The ANC performance, though slightly below that of the XM5 due to lacking an extra noise-canceling chip, is still impressive, surpassing that of the AirPods Pro. Furthermore, the LinkBuds Fit includes an Ambient Sound mode, enabling users to hear their surroundings—a feature that performs notably well with these earbuds compared to others. For software, the new Sound Connect app offers adaptive sound control, customizable EQs, and new options like “Background Music Mode,” which creates a subtle ambiance by blending music with real-world sounds. This allows for effortless transitions between listening and interacting with the environment.

In conclusion, Sony’s LinkBuds Fit has successfully combined high performance, customization, and comfort into a single, highly affordable package. They’re an excellent choice for those who want a quality audio experience without the extra cost of the XM5 model, especially for those with an active lifestyle who prioritize both style and functionality. These earbuds deliver solid sound quality, competitive ANC, customizable options, and a unique, thoughtful design.

These earbuds also come with some standout features in terms of controls and user interaction. Beyond the typical tap controls to play, pause, or activate voice assistance, Sony has introduced a feature that allows users to tap near their ear instead of on the buds themselves. This method ensures that the earbuds remain securely in place, a convenient innovation, especially during workouts or other active movements. Additionally, the LinkBuds Fit now includes an intuitive new control feature: head gestures. Users can answer calls with a simple nod or decline them by shaking their head. This hands-free functionality is becoming popular, adding ease and accessibility, particularly for users on the go.

The microphone performance on these earbuds is also impressive. Sony has integrated a series of noise-canceling mics that help reduce ambient sounds, allowing clearer voice pickup even in noisy environments. During tests with simulated loud noises like train sounds and wind, the LinkBuds Fit performed well in maintaining voice clarity, delivering a surprisingly strong call quality for its size and price point. This makes them a viable option for anyone who needs reliable mic quality for phone calls or virtual meetings.

One of the unique additions with the new Sound Connect app is the compatibility with Sony’s new portable speaker, the LinkBud Speaker. Through the app, you can seamlessly transition your audio between the earbuds and this speaker without pausing the music, enabling an uninterrupted listening experience. When you remove the earbuds near the speaker, it automatically takes over, and when you put the earbuds back in, they resume playing where you left off. This feature is part of Sony’s broader strategy to create a seamless and immersive audio experience across devices, blending personal and shared listening effortlessly.

Overall, the Sony LinkBuds Fit offers an impressive balance of quality, comfort, and smart features, making them an all-around choice for users who value flexibility and an immersive audio experience. From customizable design options to excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation, these earbuds have a lot to offer at a price that undercuts many high-end models. Whether you’re a music lover, a commuter, or someone with an active lifestyle, the LinkBuds Fit is a compelling option that blends innovation with style and practicality.

Sony has also thought about longevity and versatility in designing the LinkBuds Fit, especially in ways that enhance durability and keep up with daily demands. For instance, they come with an IPX4 rating for water and sweat resistance, making them a reliable choice for fitness enthusiasts and those who want to use them during exercise or outdoor activities. This feature is particularly attractive for people who need earbuds that can withstand various environments, from gym sessions to light rain.

Customization and adaptability also extend to the sound experience itself. The Sound Connect app offers a range of equalizer (EQ) settings, letting users personalize their audio preferences to suit different genres or listening environments. The inclusion of adaptive sound control goes a step further, automatically adjusting the noise-canceling and ambient sound settings based on the user’s location and activity, like sitting, walking, or traveling. For frequent users of multiple devices, the LinkBuds Fit supports Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint pairing, allowing seamless switching between devices without needing to manually disconnect and reconnect. This feature is especially useful for multitaskers who need to switch between a phone, laptop, or tablet throughout the day.

In terms of audio fidelity, Sony’s use of LDAC technology is a standout, supporting high-resolution audio streaming at bitrates up to three times faster than standard codecs. This enhanced codec capability sets the LinkBuds Fit apart from many competitors in the same price range, allowing them to deliver a rich, detailed sound that is typically reserved for higher-end models. With support for 360 Reality Audio and spatial audio, along with head tracking, listeners can enjoy an immersive, surround-sound experience that is rare in earbuds at this price. Whether it’s music, podcasts, or movies, this feature offers a dynamic listening experience, making the LinkBuds Fit ideal for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

Furthermore, Sony has integrated the DSEE Extreme (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) in these earbuds, which uses AI to upscale compressed audio files, restoring lost details and improving the overall listening quality. This technology is especially useful when streaming audio from services with compressed file formats, as it enhances the clarity and depth of music tracks, creating a richer listening experience even with standard audio files.

The LinkBuds Fit is also designed with sustainability in mind. Sony has incorporated recycled materials in the earbuds’ construction, and the packaging is made entirely of recyclable materials, with the lid featuring a unique marble-like design that ensures no two cases look the same. This environmentally conscious approach not only appeals to eco-friendly consumers but also reflects Sony’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.

In conclusion, the Sony LinkBuds Fit has proven itself as a powerful, well-rounded option for anyone looking for earbuds that prioritize comfort, customization, and audio quality. They deliver a balanced blend of premium features usually found in more expensive models, making them a solid choice for those who want an immersive audio experience without a flagship price tag. From its customizable design and versatile sound settings to its seamless device integration and eco-friendly construction, the LinkBuds Fit stands out as a unique, affordable, and user-friendly choice in the wireless earbud market.