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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
When deciding between the Sennheiser 560S and the Sony Linkbuds, consider their form and function. The Sennheiser 560S are over-ear headphones that provide a more immersive and detailed audio experience, making them suitable for critical listening, but their open design allows for sound leakage and they're not portable. The Sony Linkbuds offer the convenience of earbuds with unique open-ring design allowing you to stay aware of your environment, which is beneficial for outdoor activities. They also come with an integrated microphone, unlike the Sennheiser. If budget is a concern, the Linkbuds are slightly less expensive and more versatile for everyday use, while the Sennheiser's higher cost reflects its professional sound quality that may not be necessary for casual listening. 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 Sennheiser 560S
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
9.5
6.6
The Sennheiser 560S is best in class for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
6.9
5.5
The Sennheiser 560S is only fair for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Sennheiser 560S is poor.
TV and Video
9.1
5.4
The Sennheiser 560S is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Sennheiser 560S does not have a battery. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.0
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Sennheiser 560S has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser 560S to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Sennheiser 560S and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction.
Cost
$174
$178
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Sennheiser 560S has a price of $174 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
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How the Sennheiser 560S and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sennheiser 560S | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$174 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | 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 | 9.5/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.2/10 | 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 | 8/10 | 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) | 244.9 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sennheiser 560S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | March 2022
"Sennheiser made a near perfect pair of studio monitors with the HD 560S. Flat bass response? Check. Neutral and uncolored midrange? Check. Extended treble with a bit of lower-treble emphasis to highlight mastering flaws? Check. Fairly easy to drive? Check. Good soundstage and imaging? Check, and check."
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."
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About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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