Sony's LinkBuds S deliver immersive sound entertainment

Source: Sony. The LinkBuds S.

Sony has added the LinkBuds S to its LinkBuds series. The latest model empowers a new sound experience through Sony’s sensing technology and partner collaboration, all while maintaining a “never off” experience.

LinkBuds S feature noise cancelling technology and high-resolution audio. The headphones support the LinkBuds ambient sound concept that lets wearers interact with the world around them, as well as high-quality noise cancelling so that they can also focus on the content they love.

Better audio

Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 improves noise cancelling, enhances sound quality and reduces distortion with less power for distraction-free listening. With the help of a new 5mm driver unit the earbuds produce powerful bass and clear vocals despite their size. 

These new headphones also allow you to experience High-Resolution Audio Wireless, a capability based on Sony’s industry-adopted audio coding technology, LDAC. All music is restored back to high-range sound with the use of DSEE Extreme, which upscales digital music files in real time. Hear all the fine details in every track.

Intelligent adjustments

Sony’s Precise Voice Pickup Technology optimally controls the microphones on both earbuds for clear conversations in all environments. Adaptive Sound Control is further adjusts ambient sound settings depending on where the wearer is, creating the ideal listening experience.

Speak-to-Chat, based on precise Voice Pickup technology, makes the headphones smart enough to pause music automatically when the wearer speaks to someone. 

Thanks to the intuitive touch sensor control panel, wearers can change sound settings, activate Quick Attention and even resume Spotify music playback or Endel, with just a few taps on the earbuds. Endel facilitates the creation of personalised soundscapes. 

The wider ecosystem

LinkBuds S support Google’s new Fast Pair feature for pairing an Android device with other devices quickly and easily. Swift Pair also makes it simple to pair the headphones to a Windows 11 or Windows 10 laptop, desktop PC or tablet.

The new headphones are also Google Assistant and Alexa compatible.

Game integration

By leveraging sensor and spatial sound technology, the headphones also deliver immersive sound entertainment in augmented reality (AR) games such as Ingress. Sony has collaborated with its partner Niantic, the maker of Ingress, so that players wearing LinkBuds S will hear sound delivered depending on the direction they face.

Archit Bhargava, Director of Product Marketing, Niantic said, "Niantic has a vision of a Real World Metaverse, which means adding the AR digital layers onto the real world. Currently, the AR layers are visual layers; however, we believe that adding a sound layer will create a richer AR experience and it makes the real world more enjoyable and convenient.

"Sony's LinkBuds series adds the sound layer without compromising the visual and audio information of the real world. When it is used with the various games offered by Niantic, they can create a richer, more enjoyable gaming experience. Ingress, which is celebrating its 10th milestone this year, is going to have a new feature before the summer. We hope you will enjoy the feature with the LinkBuds series.

"Also, please stay tuned for the AR experience by the combination of LinkBuds series and our Lightship platform, which is the foundation of Niantic’s game titles, which shall be available soon."

These earbuds are additionally ready for LE Audio, a next-generation Bluetooth audio standard that enables ultra-low latency that is ideal for gaming.

Practicality

The wireless headphones weigh approximately 4.8 g, and are shaped to match the human ear. An ergonomic design offers a more stable fit.

In terms of battery life, Sony said the LinkBuds S have a full working day of charge – 6 hours with noise cancelling on – from the headphones. Another 14 hours of use can be extracted from the compact charging case. In a punch, a 5-minute quick charging session will deliver up to 60 minutes of play time.

Sustainability

The environmentally-friendly LinkBuds S, like the rest of the LinkBuds series, come in packaging that is plastic-free. The headphones themselves use recycled materials from automobile parts, reflecting Sony’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of their products.

Details:

LinkBuds S will be available in White, Black and Ecru in selected countries in Asia Pacific from end-May 2022.