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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a superior music listening experience with a broad soundstage and high overall sound quality, the HifiMan Sundara headphones are a better choice, although they come with a higher price, are wired, and offer no built-in microphone or sweat resistance, making them less ideal for calls or exercise. On the other hand, Sony Linkbuds cater well to a more versatile use, including during activity, with features like wireless connectivity, a built-in microphone, sweat resistance, and an open design for ambient awareness. They are more portable, offer app controls customization, and are significantly more affordable, yet they have lower sound quality and soundstage compared to the Sundara. Sony Linkbuds are also optimized for both Android and Apple devices. 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 HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
9.3
6.6
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
7.2
5.5
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
5.4
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$178
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
8.2
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara and Sony Linkbuds are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The HifiMan Sundara and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 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) | 394.6 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
HifiMan Sundara
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
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 HifiMan Sundara or the Sony Linkbuds
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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.
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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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