Sony Linkbuds S Vs WF1000XM4 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?
Both the Sony Linkbuds S & WF1000XM4 share many similarities, but there are also important differences such as sound quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Sony WF XM4 rather than Sony Linkbuds S.
Why Do I Recommend Sony WF XM4?
- The Sony’s WF-1000XM4 features noise cancelling technology with its HD Noise Cancelling Processor, which is renowned for its High Quality sound & listening experience. But the Sony Linkbuds S still providing robust noise cancelling,that provide slightly less isolated listening experience.
- With the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds, you’ll perceive more vocal and instrumental clarity than the Sony Linkbuds S. This improved clarity is helped by new 6mm dynamic drivers, compared to the Sony Linkbuds S .
- The WF-1000XM4 offers exceptional sound quality with strong bass and a broad soundstage, enhanced by its support for LDAC, allowing high-resolution audio playback and the Sony Linkbuds S delivers balanced audio profile with clarity, particularly in the mid-range.
- Battery performance is stronger in the Sony WF-1000XM4, with up to 8 hours with ANC on; 12 hours without. The Sony Linkbuds S offers up to 6 hours with ANC on; 9 hours without, which is ample but falls short of Sony’s offering.
- The SONY WF-1000XM4 offers customizable touch controls, including Speak-to-Chat for pausing music when speaking. And the Sony Linkbuds S have touch controls with voice-activated commands but lacks the Speak-to-Chat feature.
- The WF-1000XM4 Offers adjustable transparency mode, allowing users to control how much ambient sound to let in. On the other hand the Sony Linkbuds S features an automatic transparency mode with no manual adjustment.
- Both headphones use USB-C for charging, but Sony supports wireless charging with its quick charge feature, providing 4 hours of playback from just 20 minutes of charging. On the other hand Sony Linkbuds S lacks quick charge feature, requiring about 1.5 hours for a full charge.
Maybe the Sony Linkbuds S price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Sony WF XM4. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
Feature | Sony WF-1000XM4 | Sony LinkBuds S |
Design | Ergonomic, rounded design, slightly larger | Compact, lightweight design, fits comfortably in the ear |
Drivers | 6mm drivers | 5mm drivers |
Audio Quality | High-resolution sound, supported by LDAC codec; DSEE Extreme for upscaling | Clear sound quality with LDAC support; DSEE for upscaling |
ANC | Industry-leading ANC with Adaptive Sound Control | Basic ANC, suitable for most environments |
Transparency Mode | Yes, with adjustable levels | Yes, with automatic transparency mode |
Ambient Sound Control | Adaptive Sound Control adjusts sound settings based on the environment | No manual adjustment for ambient sound |
Battery Life (Earbuds) | 8 hours with ANC on, 12 hours without | 6 hours with ANC on, 9 hours without |
Battery Life (Case) | 16 hours with ANC on, 24 hours without | 14 hours with ANC on, 20 hours without |
Quick Charge | 5 minutes for 1 hour of playtime | 6 minutes for 1 hour of playtime |
Charging Options | USB-C charging cable, wireless charging with Qi support | USB-C charging cable |
Audio Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
Voice Assistant Support | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2, with Multipoint support | Bluetooth 5.2, no Multipoint support |
Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
Controls | Customizable touch controls, Speak-to-Chat | Touch controls, Voice-activated commands |
Sony Headphones Connect App | Full support for equalizer, ANC, and other settings | Full support for equalizer, ANC, and other settings |
Smart Features | Adaptive Sound Control, auto-pause when removed | Adaptive Sound Control, auto-pause when removed |
Case | Larger, rounded case | Compact, pocket-friendly case |
Colors Available | Black, Silver, Gold | Black, White, Ecru Blue |
Price | Check Sony WF XM4 Price | Check Linkbuds S Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Both offer Bluetooth 5.2 for a stable connection to devices, ensuring high-quality wireless audio streaming.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Both models provide ANC, reducing unwanted background noise for a focused listening experience.
- Transparency Mode: Both include a transparency mode that allows ambient sound to pass through, enabling awareness of the surroundings.
- Voice Assistant Support: Both earbuds support Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri, allowing hands-free control and interaction.
- Touch Controls: Both models offer touch controls for playback, volume adjustment, and voice assistant activation, making interaction seamless.
- Auto-Pause/Play: Both models automatically pause playback when removed from the ears and resume when worn, making listening convenient.
- Sony Headphones Connect App: Both models are supported by the Sony Headphones Connect app, which offers equalizer settings, ANC adjustments, and other customization options.
- DSEE: Both models include Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) technology, which upscales compressed audio files, enhancing audio quality.
- Water Resistance: Both models feature an IPX4 rating, making them resistant to sweat and splashes, allowing for use during workouts and in light rain.
- Quick Charge: Both models offer a quick charge feature, providing 1 hour of playtime after a 5-minute charge, ensuring rapid recovery of battery life.
Common Features
Feature | Sony WF-1000XM4 | Sony LinkBuds S |
Bluetooth Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | ANC | ANC |
Transparency Mode | Transparency mode | Transparency mode |
Voice Assistant Support | Supports Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri, allowing hands-free control and interaction. | Supports Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri, enabling hands-free control and interaction. |
Touch Controls | Touch controls allow for playback, volume adjustment, and voice assistant activation, streamlining interaction. | Touch controls offer playback, volume adjustment, and voice assistant activation, streamlining interaction. |
Auto-Pause/Play | Playback automatically pauses when removed from the ears and resumes when worn, making listening convenient. | Automatically pauses playback when removed from ears and resumes when worn, making listening convenient. |
Sony Headphones Connect App | Supported, providing customization options like equalizer settings, ANC adjustments, and other settings. | Supported, offering equalizer settings, ANC adjustments, and other customization options. |
DSEE | Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) | Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) |
Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
Price | Check Sony WF XM4 Price | Check Linkbuds S Price |
FAQ
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