LinkBuds (WF-L900)

I used the original Sony Linkbuds until they stopped working & now upgraded to the v2, Sony Linkbuds Open. They're normal earbuds w/ a donut shaped driver, so you can actually hear everything around you

Bought some Sony Linkbuds back when they first came out because they intrigued me: [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-LinkBuds-concept-conversations-removing-Grey/dp/B09QMMHL3H?th=1](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-LinkBuds-concept-conversations-removing-Grey/dp/B09QMMHL3H?th=1) They work great if you want to still hear what's going on in the room around you - I'm usually playing docked on the TV sat next to my partner while they are doing their own thing.

I own the original Sony Linkbuds, there's a new model I haven't tried but god damn the original are so incredible. I'm not gonna pretend I have super ears or anything, but I've only had like two "holy shit" moments throughout my foray into this hobby. The first being the timbre of the Truthear Hexas, the second being the soundstage of the Sony Linkbuds. Obviously, there's no sub bass to talk of, and zero isolation because there's a massive hole in them but I was surprised at how well they handle regular bass and soundstage, Ive used the app to crank bass way up, and tone down the higher frequencies and honestly, I use them all the time and I'm still blown away by them, I probably use them the most due to convenience of being wireless. When watching videos and not just listening to music, I still occasionally get the odd sound my brain is tricked into thinking is coming from my surroundings. Temper your expectations a little, you can't use them in noisy environments, and louder volumes are really unpleasant, but for casual at home listening I can't rate them highly enough. Oh yeah, after a while they can make my ears ache a bit because they're hard plastic, wish they had a silicone layer over them or something.

Shokz bone conduction works well. My wife just got a set for swimming laps and I was impressed by how they don't block any outside noise at all. Sound quality is meh through this medium but nothing for this purpose is going to be (or needs to be) audiophile quality. I've been using the Sony open donut-style earbuds for 4 seasons now. First the original LinkBuds and now the Linkbuds Open. They both do the trick but comfort is not great under helmet earpads after awhile, plus your ear shape can make it harder to keep them secure in your ears under a helmet. I've had them pop out in my balaclava every once in awhile. I haven't tried the Shokz for any significant time, but I suspect they'd be the better option both for comfort and awareness.

The first gen Sony Link Buds were ok. They weren’t loud enough, but they are small and do not interfere with helmet strap. Call quality is mediocre at best. Using JBL Soundgear Sense now. It’s bigger and best to use with the optional headband for secure fit. The sound and call quality are better, and have a longer battery life. The volume is high enough to overpower wind noise. It does interfere with helmet straps a little, but it’s a trade off I’m willing to accept.