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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If sound quality for music and TV is a priority and you're willing to invest more, consider the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX, as they offer excellent listening experiences with active noise cancelling and a dynamic driver design. However, they aren't the best for calls. For more budget-friendly earbuds that still offer useful features like an open design that lets you stay aware of your surroundings, the Sony Linkbuds could be suitable, especially for daily use and exercise due to their sweatproof build, but they compromise on sound isolation and overall sound quality. Both have app support for customization, but if you're concerned about battery life, the Beoplay EX lasts longer on a single charge. Keep in mind, though, that they're larger in size while the Linkbuds are smaller and more discrete. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.9
6.6
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
5.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
5.3
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair.
TV and Video
8.9
5.4
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$178
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has a price of $399 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
10.0
9.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 22 | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
Get a great deal on the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX or the Sony Linkbuds
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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