Sony LinkBuds Speaker in review: Compact speaker with smart functions
A TEST REPORT from Alexander Karwig 
on December 03, 2024, 10:00 am | 1 comment
With the Sony LinkBuds Speaker Sony presents a Bluetooth speaker that boasts innovative features and stands out from the competition. You can find out which special features make the speaker unique in our review.
The LinkBuds Speaker has been available in Germany since October 2024. It complements the LinkBuds series, which also includes the in-ear headphones LinkBuds Fit and LinkBuds Open belong.
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tl;dr: A good overall package
The Sony LinkBuds speaker impresses with its portability and flexible use. It offers clear voice reproduction and a pleasant sound. It could be stronger in the bass range, but the mids are well emphasized. With a battery life of up to 25 hours and a charging time of just 4 hours, the speaker is also well suited for longer use. The charging cradle makes charging at home easy, and the speaker always has a fixed place.
Functions such as the quick access button or the autoplay function with timer make operation easier and improve the user experience. On the other hand, gimmicks such as the equalizer function via app offer little added value. All in all, however, the speaker is well made and is currently available from Sony for €159,00 (including 19% VAT).
Design: Simple and Elegant
Visually, the speaker has a subtle design. Thanks to its smooth surface and rounded edges, it blends harmoniously into any room and looks pleasantly unobtrusive. There is a practical carrying strap on the back that makes transporting the speaker easier.
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Operation: Easy to use
On the top of the LinkBuds speaker there are buttons for controlling the volume, play/pause and answering calls. There is also a quick access button that can be assigned to various streaming services. For example, a single press of the button starts Spotify, while a double press opens Amazon Music. On the back of the speaker there is the power-on button and a cover behind which a USB-C port is hidden. This allows the device to be charged on the go. For use at home, an included charging cradle is used, on which the speaker can be placed in four different orientations, which offers additional flexibility.
Sound: Balanced, with good vocal reproduction
As soon as the speaker is connected and the music starts, it makes a convincing impression. The sound is pleasantly balanced: the highs are subtle but easily perceptible, while the mids and vocal reproduction are surprisingly clear and detailed - especially considering the compact size of the device. This makes the speaker ideal for streaming podcasts. However, it shows weaknesses in the bass range, which is mainly due to its small design. Nevertheless, the sound overall is convincing and offers an all-round harmonious listening experience.
The speaker also delivers a decent performance for audio calls. The people you are talking to can be clearly understood and the speaker's voice recording is also transmitted well. For users who want to customize the sound, an equalizer is available in the Sound Connectapp is available, which can be downloaded from both the Play Store and the App Store.
Functions: App control and equalizer
The app offers the option of adjusting the equalizer. This can be done either using classic controls or a fun function where circles are selected. The user can then determine the desired sound pattern themselves, and after completing the "setup" the settings are transferred to the equalizer. Although the idea is interesting, this method turns out to be of little use with the speaker, as the subtle differences in sound are difficult to perceive. Manually adjusting the frequency ranges using the controls is much easier in this case. This fun function is more suitable for headphones, such as the Sony LinkBuds Open or LinkBuds Fit, where the sound nuances are more pronounced.
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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Another practical feature of the app is the Autoplay. With this setting, the speaker can be used like a timer. At a set time, the device switches on automatically and starts playing music from a previously selected streaming service. This is particularly useful for the morning routine, so that you can listen to music as soon as you get up or during breakfast. This function can also be used for an evening routine. You can set the speaker to switch off automatically after a certain time. During the test phase, this function worked reliably and proved to be extremely practical.
Battery life and charging time: Long fun with short charging times
According to the manufacturer, the battery life of the Sony LinkBuds speaker is up to 25 hours. This is almost achieved at medium volume. It takes just under 4 hours to fully charge the speaker. However, since the speaker is primarily designed to sit in its charging cradle, this charging time will hardly be a factor in everyday use. This makes it particularly practical for flexible use at home and on the go.
Many thanks to Sony Austria for providing the test device!
Very good review! I would like to install the LinkBuds speaker in my Golf IV, as the sound system has since stopped working after 25 years. I got the speaker in the Black Friday sale for just 99 euros. I think the sound is really great.