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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X, being an over-ear headphone with a wired connection, offers a superior overall sound quality and soundstage, making it exceptional for immersive gaming, music listening, and calls where high-quality audio and mic performance are crucial. However, it's less portable and not suited for physical activities or travel due to its larger size and open-back design which doesn't isolate noise well. If portability, wireless convenience, and the ability to use earbuds during exercise are high priorities, the Sony Linkbuds would be preferable, although they provide a lesser overall sound experience and are more tailored to casual listening and everyday use where ultimate sound fidelity and noise isolation aren't as critical. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
9.5
6.6
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
10.0
5.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
10.0
6.8
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
TV and Video
9.0
5.4
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$178
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
8.5
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the EPOS PC38X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.8
The EPOS PC38X and Sony Linkbuds are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The EPOS PC38X and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
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 EPOS PC38X or the Sony Linkbuds
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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