@@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.
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
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.
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
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. :-)
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.
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
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.
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.🤷🏾♂️
@@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.
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.
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.
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 …✌🏽🖖🏽
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.😁
