Sony LinkBuds Review: You DONUT want to miss these earbuds! 🍩

[@AkinolaEmmanuel]

I agree. I've been using them for two weeks, including right now, and they are a definite game changer.

[@DeadmanInc336]

How's the Google Assistant features? One reason I liked the Pixel Buds is their Google Assistant interface.

[@MegpoidNebri]

@@DeadmanInc336 I find the Google assistant integration a bit finicky. I haven't found a way to enable the "Hey Google" keyword without also enabling Assistant controls for one of the buds. This means my optimal setup of having Volume control on left, Playback control on right + "Hey Google" keyword for Google assistant isn't doable. If that isn't a problem for you and you're okay with having one of the buds for Assistant control you'll be fine. The Assistant controls are double tap for voice commands and triple tap for reading time and notifications. You also get notifications read out to you as they come in, with option to voice reply to messages or answer/decline calls with double or triple taps.

[@jamesbelkin9204]

I dig 'em. I covered the drivers with foam pads and it improved the low frequencies as well as how they fit; they're much more secure now.

[@skullcrusher_1]

It took me about a week and a half but I finally got them to fit me correctly and I have to say the sound while very lacking in bass is very pleasant. Definitely hearing all the details in my music that sometimes even I miss on my other headphones. Turning off Google assistant really extended my battery time. When you turn off Google assistant you can use either earbud independently as well

[@TshakaArmstrong]

Yep. Im going to make a Short explaining that voice assistant limitation as it's also the same with the xm4's.

[@SoteroMurguia]

It’s been a while since I watched an Android Central review. I love this guy! Great review!

[@TshakaArmstrong]

🙏🏾

[@antonio_luis]

Lmao @ yawning while you was on the phone with your wife 😂😂😂

[@TshakaArmstrong]

Honey, if you read this, it was a LOOONG day. You are a fascinating and engaging conversationalist. Love you!!😘

[@megasp]

deathwish right there!

[@darrenmdr]

Not for me. I want to completely isolate outside noise if I've got earphones in. But I can see these would be great for some people. However I've watched a few of these videos now with Tshaka presenting and I really like the way he delivers so much relevant information. Only complaint, next time get the whole of that Spawn poster in shot. :-)

[@TshakaArmstrong]

Thank you for watching Darren. Will work on getting Spawn fully in the shot next time!😁

[@pauledwards5573]

Block those little holes up!!

[@JoeyStyles01]

Great review. Last time we saw something like this was the Galaxy Beans. Seems like Sony figured this out and didn't try to sell it as having ANC so the expectations are set. But no multi device support is a deal breaker for my work earbuds at the current time.

[@BygSii]

I think multi device support and wireless charging would have made these perfect. With a name like Linkbuds, it should be able to link to many devices. lol

[@megasp]

Maaann, i wish the name was actually Sony Donuts. Would've been great for marketing...and for laughs.

[@TshakaArmstrong]

Indeed!😂

[@ForeverWinter1812]

I scored a pair for $130 and I absolutely love them. I switch between them and my razor hammerhead pros depending on the environment I'm in. and a bigger battery in the charging case would have been better.. I hope Sony does a version 2.

[@pauledwards5573]

The sound is surprisingly good especially for the piece. I'm at last getting sort of getting used to them

[@EfonEkpo]

You say they both can't be used independently, but other reviewers say they can. Might want to check on that again.

[@TshakaArmstrong]

I did. I had to take the right one out of the case to get both working. If I took the left one out by itself, no connection. Also, looking at Sonys documentation on battery life, when you can use the buds independently, they’ll usually note that in the battery life examples as being able to extend your use. The buds receive BT transmissions to both buds simultaneously BUT that’s different from me being able to talk or listen one at a time. Maybe I missed something though when I tested this for myself. It’s possible.🤷🏾‍♂️

[@EfonEkpo]

@@TshakaArmstrong you may be right but it's also possible you missed something in the settings. I remember I had the same issue with one of my Sony earbuds, until I played with the settings. I'll avoid buying this if I can't listen independently.

[@JC-kq3do]

I found that if you have services activated on the sony connect app (i.e. MS Soundscape or Spotify) then you can’t use the buds independently. When they are not on, both buds can be used independently.

[@EfonEkpo]

@@JC-kq3do That's what I thought. The solution is in the settings.

[@TshakaArmstrong]

@J C I have them here with me. Just tried disabling services on both an iPhone and an Android and still can't connect to the left independently.

[@mendellalvarado4285]

I wasn't interested in these earbuds, so I wasn't gonna click on this video, until I saw that YOU made it! 😁 Another great one 👍

[@TshakaArmstrong]

Thank you sir🙏🏾

[@kajukuja]

Great review!!

[@TshakaArmstrong]

🙏🏿

[@2phonesbabyken]

I decided to pass on these because of the Pixel Buds A-Series. (Don't let that eartip fool you, I also consider them open earbuds because of that vent on the bottom piping in all the outside noise.) With the feature set being so similar between the two- both have automatic volume adjustment, great mics, 12mm drivers, and ~4.5hr battery life with all of the features enabled, I'd save the $80 and go with Google's earbuds if you can deal with the eartip- there's very little compromise on spatial awareness and you get better bass response because of it.

[@KevinBein]

These buds look like exactly the thing I never knew I needed. I may just have to retire the the ol Samsung Galaxy Beans that I have been using for a while now.

[@jimmyfiredragon8582]

When will your next article be?

[@kbatandure8]

Just so AC knows, I subscribe to this channel ONLY because of this guy.

[@Rock2005Star]

Awesome review! Glad they have a 5-band EQ included as well! I have the Galaxy Buds Pro, but if and when they die out, I will SERIOUSLY consider these. Hopefully by then Sony will have released a 2nd gen version with improvements included as well. With regards to the bass, I've felt that Sony tends to be a bit too bassy (IMO) with their over-ear headphones at least. So if these are less "Sony bassy" than usual, that might actually be a good thing as I'm no bass-head (though I do love good solid un-bloated bass)! LOL

[@TshakaArmstrong]

Thank you for watching!🙏🏿

[@sleepykhani]

The way it muted the noise of the garbage truck was very interesting

[@TshakaArmstrong]

Glad you picked up on that. Sonys improved microphone algorithms are impressive.

[@pauledwards5573]

I'm planning to experiment with blocking those little holes up. I find them very annoying And I think you get a better sound quality too.n

[@Peterstarzynskitech]

Love the donut puns. 😁

[@TshakaArmstrong]

Nothing's tastier than a good Old Fashioned, pun.

[@Peterstarzynskitech]

@@TshakaArmstrong Yep I completely agree. 😁

[@rashidhumine]

Sony Krispy Kremes :)

[@justintime41nce]

Check, you can wear the left or the right Individually, you must’ve had your settings wrong, I’m doing it right now. Decent review though, don’t rush take your time, play a little …✌🏽🖖🏽

[@TshakaArmstrong]

Actually figured it out the next day. Commented in the comment below this one. No wrong settings, just that sony doesn't tell you anywhere in the literature that enabling voice assistant disables independent operation of the Buds. Enabling that was the first thing I did when I hooked them up.😁

[@Trasheater]

5:46 phew! you should remove hairs from your ears before doing such close shots!

[@TshakaArmstrong]

If you'd like to pay for a stylist, we can arrange something. Let me know and I'll hit you with my cashapp.

[@aewatki75]

There not good 180 bucks Hard No

[@AdamElkayam]

Do not buy those! Real trash audio quality.