Overall Score 6.2 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 5.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Sony LinkBuds S | Sony WF C500 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 9.6g | 10.8g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✗ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 5mm | 5.8mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 40000Hz | 20000Hz | |
has a neodymium magnet | ✓ | ✓ | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 10hours |
battery life of charging case | 14hours | 10hours | |
charge time | 2hours | 2.5hours | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 9meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has ldac | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 2only |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✗ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✗ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✗ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | ✗ | 1Years | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IPX4, the Sony WF C500's rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second number of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes.
In comparison to the Sony WF C500, Sony LinkBuds S have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
Sony WF C500 have a weight of 10.8g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
weigh less than the Sony WF C500 by -1.2g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires linking any part of the device together, Sony WF C500 are true wireless for this case since they don't have wires. This is a major difference as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the two earbuds .
Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless because it has no wires linking the two earbuds .
Sony WF C500 have sweat resistance
Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc
Sony WF C500 have stereo speakers, what this means is that Sony WF C500's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have stereo speakers
ANC makes use of more advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.
Sony LinkBuds S have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds.
The Sony WF C500 sit well in place, creating a sound seal that reduces your environment noise and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out .
Both Sony LinkBuds S, and Sony WF C500 have passive noise reduction this means that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.
The Sony WF C500 driver unit is 5.8mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size corellates with the sound made by the device.
Sony LinkBuds S driver unit is 5mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Sony WF C500 by 0.8mm
, a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound.
The Sony WF C500's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device produces low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through.
Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
both devices can produce equal bass
Sony WF C500's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio component generates high human frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.
Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40000Hz, this implies that
Sony LinkBuds S can produce a clearer and crispier treble than the Sony WF C500
The Sony WF C500 have neodymium magnets, when used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output using less power to do so. They can help generate music at quite a high sound pressure level, using high magnetic flux.
Sony LinkBuds S have it too, devices with these magnets are lighter and more powerful than those which use ferrite magnets. It is also known that they produce more bass and clearer high notes.
The Sony WF C500's battery life is 10 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is
less than that of Sony WF C500 by 4 hours
. Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.
This is given by the manufacturer, and the Sony WF C500's case is said to have a full charge of 10 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before recharging the case itself.
Sony LinkBuds S's charging case has a battery life of 14 hours,
more than that of Sony WF C500 by 4 hours
It requires 2.5 hours to fully charge the Sony WF C500's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
Sony LinkBuds S takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
less than that of Sony WF C500 by 0.5 hours
The Sony WF C500 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your device and charging case.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you determine the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.
The Sony WF C500 use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
Sony LinkBuds S too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics.
The Sony WF C500 have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sony LinkBuds S has a Bluetooth version of 5.2,
newer than that of Sony WF C500
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
Sony WF C500 have a 9meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.
Sony LinkBuds S have a maximum range of 10meters,
longer than that of Sony WF C500 by 1meters
Sony WF C500 support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Sony WF C500 will work fine with your MacBook. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
The Sony LinkBuds S support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.
The Sony LinkBuds S support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It can reach a high bitrate of 990kbps, providing high-resolution audio.
Sony WF C500 have 2 microphones.
While the Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6,
more than that of Sony WF C500 by 4
. More microphones record better sound quality and enable the device to filter out noise.
Sony LinkBuds S support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard even while wearing the earbuds
Sony LinkBuds S support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
If misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Sony LinkBuds S have a find earbuds feature.
The Sony WF C500 support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to fully charge a device.
Sony LinkBuds S support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in thirty minutes.
The Sony WF C500 have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have this function. It means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
With the Sony WF C500, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
The Sony LinkBuds S too have a control panel on them.
Sony WF C500 have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals.
Sony WF C500 have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.
Sony LinkBuds S also have voice prompts .i.e the device will notify you if the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.
Sony WF C500 come with their own special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them in your pockets without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
Sony LinkBuds S also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.