The Sony Linkbuds S are a shrunk-down, improved version of the already excellent WF-1000XM4. I wasn't expecting this. Given the "Linkbuds" moniker I was expecting them to prioritize ambient sound features over all else, just like the original Linkbuds, but that simply isn't the case here.
Build: the Linkbuds S are impossibly small compared to the WF-1000XM4, Sony's previous noise canceling earphones. They actually resemble the Samsung Galaxy buds 2 in overall size and shape. They also sport a nice large touch sensitive area that no one should have trouble missing. The only gripe I do have is that the outer surface is textured and this can cause some discomfort if it rubs against the crus helix.
Case: the case is definitely one of the more pocketable out there. It's about the same size as the Airpods Pro case, but slightly shorter and narrower, albeit a bit thicker. However, it also has a textured surface which can make it a little difficult to slide in and out of pockets.
Fit: the Linkbuds S fit very similar to the Galaxy Buds 2 and deeper than the WF-1000XM4. They are a little fiddly to fit. In my case I have to rotate them back and forth to get them to seat correctly. Although Sony instructs users to rotate the buds backwards to get a good fit I actually found this uncomfortable because the buds would rub against my Crus Helix and cause discomfort. Rotating them forward slightly fixed the issue. Once the buds were in place I found the fit to be secure and that, combined with their light weight, meant that it was easy to forget they were there. My one complaint about the fit is that the buds are so small that it's very difficult to insert them without either accidentally hitting the touch area or rubbing a finger against the noise canceling microphone, resulting in some static noise.
Noise canceling: the noise canceling on the Linkbuds S is fantastic. Although the Linkbuds S are advertised as being open I actually found them to be more isolating than the WF-1000XM4s without noise canceling on. With noise canceling on I actually found the Linkbuds S to be slightly superior to the WF-1000XM4 in terms of blocking out background noise and they certainly blow the Galaxy Buds Pro/2 out of the water. I haven't had chance to test the Linkbuds S with very low frequency sounds (e.g. public transport, planes) but for blocking out office and household noise they're the best true wireless earphones I've tried.
Sound: I saved the best to last. I was very pleasantly surprised with the sound quality of the Linkbuds S. The WF-1000XM4s were a big disappointment in this regard, with an overly dark presentation for my taste that led to recessed mids and lackluster treble. The Linkbuds S by comparison adopt a Harman-like tuning that presents mids and treble brilliantly with a satisfying bass boost that doesn't dominate the overall sound. The Linkbuds S definitely beat the WF-1000XM4s for overall sound and they're up there with the Galaxy Buds Pro/2, which are the reigning champs. Comparing the Galaxy Buds side by side with the Linkbuds S I honestly can't pick a favorite amongst the three, which I think is a very good thing.
Other: in my limited tests the transparency features are great, as with the WF-1000XM4s. The only other thing that I think is worth noting is that the Linkbuds S struggle to maintain LDAC connectivity more than the WF-1000XM4s. This isn't surprising, given the small size, but is worth considering for anyone who wants to use LDAC in challenging environments or on the go.
Wrap up: previously if I wanted to recommend a pair of true wireless earphones for someone I would have to include a 'but'. The Airpods Pro have great noise canceling but the sound isn't top tier and they don't play well with Android devices. The Galaxy Buds sound fantastic but the noise canceling isn't great and they don't play well with iOS. The WF-1000XM4s have top tier noise canceling and work well with both iOS and Android devices, but their sound isn't the best. The Linkbuds S on the other hand have top tier noise canceling, work excellent with both iOS and Android, and have excellent sound. These are now my default recommendation to anyone looking for new True Wireless earphones.
Alternative picks: If it wasn't for the better Bluetooth connectivity of the WF-1000XM4s and the improved battery life the Linkbuds S would have made the XM4s redundant. Whether the increased price is worth it for those things will be up to the individual. I think there's still a case to be made for getting the cheaper Galaxy buds over the Linkbuds S if noise canceling isn't a priority. However, I think the only reason to pay more for the Airpods Pro would be if you really like the design and/or the enhanced integration with iOS is really important.
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This Item  Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones with Alexa Built-in, Bluetooth Ear Buds Compatible with iPhone and Android, Black | Recommendations  |  |  | ![SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds, Graphite, Hi-Fi Sound, 360 Audio, Active Noise Cancelling, Comfort Fit, HD Voice, IPX7 Water Resistant [US Version, 1Yr Manufacturer Warranty]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21Y3xVnL0BL._AC_.jpg) | |
| Price | -36% $128.00 List: $199.99 | -20% $48.00 List: $59.99 | -29% $49.99 List: $69.99 | -44% $44.99 List: $79.99 | -27% $167.77 List: $229.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 3 |
| Customer Ratings | |||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Back Bay Brand | AnkerDirect | Bannister Hillshire |
| connectivity tech | Wireless | Wireless | Bluetooth 5.0 | Wireless | Bluetooth |
| headphones form factor | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear |
| connector type | wireless | — | wireless | USB Type C | wireless |
| noise control | active noise cancellation | — | sound isolation | active noise cancellation | active noise cancellation |
| cable feature | Without Cable | Without Cable | Without Cable | Cable | Without Cable |
| control type | Alexa | Voice Control | Button Control | Volume Control | Media Control |
| water resistance | water resistant | water resistant | waterproof | waterproof | water resistant |
| material | Plastic, Silicone | Plastic | Metal, Premium ABS Plastic | Plastic | — |
| model name | LinkBuds S | WFC510/B5 | Back Bay Tempo 30 | soundcore Space A40 | Galaxy Buds2 Pro |
From the manufacturer
LinkBuds S
Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds
Every world. Always On.
With LinkBuds S, you're always connected. Wear them comfortably around the clock, staying in touch with people and places without having to pause your playlist. When you are ready to tune out the noise, LinkBuds S offer premium noise canceling to help you focus on your favorite playlist or podcast.
Multipoint Connection: pair 2 Bluetooth devices
When call comes in, your headphones know which device is ringing and connects to the right one automatically. You’ll also be able to quickly switch your headphones to either of the two devices at the touch of a button. (Available via firmware update)
Hear more of what's around you
These earbuds give you the best of both worlds - natural ambient sound when you want to interact with your world, so you can have a conversation or be aware of your surroundings.
Premium Noise Canceling
Link your worlds as LinkBuds S switch seamlessly between superlative noise canceling and natural ambient sound. Smart features and settings learn from your behavior and automatically adjust sound settings to provide the right sound for the moment.
Small and light
LinkBuds S are smaller and lighter than other noise canceling earbuds. Silicone earbud tips provide a comfortable fit that stays in place.
Clear calls
Make crystal clear calls and listen to high-quality music – even in windy or noisy environments.
Adaptive Sound Control
Adaptive Sound Control senses where you are and what you’re doing, then adjusts ambient sound settings for the ideal listening experience.
Quick access to Amazon music
You can play Amazon music with just a couple of taps – no need to touch your smartphone
Premium sound technology
Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 improves noise cancellation, enhances sound quality, and reduces distortion.
IPX4 splash and sweat-proof
With an IPX4 water resistance rating, splashes and sweat won’t stop these Sony earbuds – so you can keep on moving to the music.
What's in the box?
Open up the packaging of your LinkBuds S and you'll find 4 sizes of silicone earbud tips to suit different ear shapes and a USB-C charging cable.
Listen all day
Up to 6 hours of battery life and up to 20 hours with charging case. Quick charging gives up to 60 minutes of playback with a 5 minute charge.
Sony LinkBuds Headphones
 LinkBuds Fit |  LinkBuds S |  LinkBuds Open |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Canceling Yes/Auto NC Optimizer | Noise Canceling Yes | Noise Canceling N/A |
| Battery Life 5.5Hrs (21 Hrs with case) | Battery Life 6 Hrs (20 Hrs with case) | Battery Life 8 Hrs (22 Hrs with case) |
| Hands Free Call Yes, with Advanced Voice Signal Processing | Hands Free Call Yes, with Advanced Voice Signal Processing | Hands Free Call Yes, with Advanced Voice Signal Processing |
| Water Resistant/Splash Proof Yes / IPX4 | Water Resistant/Splash Proof Yes / IPX4 | Water Resistant/Splash Proof Yes / IPX4 |
| Special Features Air fitting supporter, Auto Play, Hi-Res Audio, Speak to Chat, Wide area tap | Special Features Auto Play, High Resolution Audio, Speak to Chat, Intuitive Touch Controls | Special Features Air fitting supporter, Auto Play, Speak to Chat, Wide area tap |
Good at everything, but probably not the best option currently
(This is a lengthy review, so in case you are short on time I have included a quick Pros/Cons summary at the top. This gives an idea of my overall opinions, but for more details continue to read on below.)(Note- I will mostly be comparing these to other earbuds that I have used and/or reviewed recently: AirPods Pro, Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, Sony WF-1000XM4, Echo Buds2, and Klipsch T5 II )THE GOOD:--Comfort/Fit: So far, these are very comfortable to wear. They are slightly smaller than some of the other earbuds I've tested, and are up there with Airpods Pro in terms of comfort. They also feel very secure in the ear, unlike some other brands. No complaints here with comfort/design.--Mic Quality: The mic quality of these is excellent. I tested out with calling friends, and these were either 1st or 2nd best sounding earbuds according to the people I called. My friend says that these mics are the best out the earbuds we tested in this range.--Multiple Ecosystem Support: These work well with all ecosystems, whether you are using Apple or Android; and with assistants including Alexa and Google.--Good ANC : The noise canceling on these is also fantastic. This technology has come a long way, and sometimes it can be hard to compare ANC, since each company produces earbuds that prioritize blocking out slightly different frequencies. To me these seem like they are close to the best , but maybe the XM4s and Airpods Pro are SLIGHTLY better, especially the XM4s at low frequency ranges. The Adaptive Sound Control is a neat feature that can change ambient sound settings based on your location, though I'm not sure how useful this will be in practice.THE BAD:--Overall Sound Comparison: With the default EQ settings, the overall sound quality actually seems slightly worse than the WF1000XM4s to me. I also prefer the sound of the Klipsch T5 IIs with most music, and even the Galaxy Pros with some songs; as these LinkBuds S can sometimes sound slightly muffled or dampened in comparison. Still good quality sound overall, just not as good as some of the other options in this range, and not my favorite with any type of music I tested.--No Wireless Charging: This seems like a big disappointment for this price range. I would expect that ALL earbuds that are over $200 should have wireless charging at this point.MORE DETAILS:Here are my thoughts on each category, again mostly comparing to: Airpods Pro, Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, Sony WF-1000XM4, Echo Buds2, and Klipsch T5 II. (I also enlisted the help of a friend of mine that is an Audio Engineer, to give his opinions and to use some of his equipment.)Sound - These sounded great to me when I first put them in and listened to a variety of music. I was not disappointed in overall sound quality at all, and if you aren't comparing these to anything else, you will also probably think that they sound great. It was only after rigorously measuring their output with my friend's mics, and also repeatedly comparing them to all of the other earbuds, that I was able to notice the slightly muffled sound compared to the other earbuds. The Airpods Pro, Klipsch T5 II, XM4, and Galaxy Pro all seem slightly more “clear”, with a broader range. The midrange on the Airpods Pro might be the biggest difference here, and when I switched back and forth between them I felt like I was missing some of those midrange frequencies with the LinkBuds S. Overall sound range/EQ preferences are of course very subjective and personal, but my friend and I both agree that these are definitively not our favorite in this category.Design/Fit – I like the way that these fit in my ear, and they are right up there at the top with Airpods and Klipsch in terms of being lightweight and comfortable. For me, the Galaxy Pros were a little to clunky and felt like they might fall out sometimes, but the LinkBuds S fit great while also feeling secure. The texture of the buds themselves is almost a little scratchy, which took me a little while to get used to, but I think I prefer this texture for touch sensitivity. For me though, I have always preferred the press-able buttons on the Klipsch T5 IIs over all of these touch sensors, partly because I often wear a headband over the earbuds and a sweaty headband can mess with the touch sensors sometimes.Calls – This is probably the best overall feature of these earbuds. The microphone quality seemed to be the best out of all the earbuds when testing out on my friend's equipment, and in real-world testing I experienced similar results. These were either the best sounding, or a close second best when compared to other earbuds when making calls. These sounded the best in almost every environment, maybe tied for best with Klipsch in noisy/windy environments.Water Resistance - These have the same IPX4 rating as most of the other earbuds, but note that the Galaxy Buds Pro have a superior IPX7 rating, if that matters to you. So far these have been working great for exercise, but again personally I prefer more headband-friendly designs sometimes.Charging/etc: These charge at about the same speed as the other earbuds, and have a similar battery life. The BIG difference is that these don't support wireless charging, which seems odd at this price range. These come with a short 9 inch usb-A to usb-C cable in the box, no plug/brick. This is my least favorite in terms of charging options compared to the other earbuds in this price range.OVERALL: These are solid earbuds that feel great, produce good sound, have good ANC, and have excellent microphones for great call quality. They do just about everything well, but at this current price I can't say that they are my favorite, or even the best value. Overall my favorites are probably still the Klipsch T5 IIs, which are currently less expensive than these LinkBuds S earbuds at the time I'm writing this. My second favorite would either be the Galaxy Pros or the Airpod Pros, both of which are slightly less expensive and produce slightly better sound in my opinion. The only thing these LinkBuds S are the best at seems to be the mic/call quality, but even then the difference there isn't big enough for me to recommend choosing them overall. Personally I'm sticking with my Klipsch T5 IIs for regular use, but if you are a diehard Apple user, I would have recommend the Airpods Pro over these LinkBuds S at the current prices. If these drop in price in the future and are competitively priced with some of the other options, then they might be a good choice; especially if switching back and forth between ecosystems is important to you and you don't mind the lack of wireless charging.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2022Color: BlackVerified Purchase
The Sony Linkbuds S are a shrunk-down, improved version of the already excellent WF-1000XM4. I wasn't expecting this. Given the "Linkbuds" moniker I was expecting them to prioritize ambient sound features over all else, just like the original Linkbuds, but that simply isn't the case here.
Build: the Linkbuds S are impossibly small compared to the WF-1000XM4, Sony's previous noise canceling earphones. They actually resemble the Samsung Galaxy buds 2 in overall size and shape. They also sport a nice large touch sensitive area that no one should have trouble missing. The only gripe I do have is that the outer surface is textured and this can cause some discomfort if it rubs against the crus helix.
Case: the case is definitely one of the more pocketable out there. It's about the same size as the Airpods Pro case, but slightly shorter and narrower, albeit a bit thicker. However, it also has a textured surface which can make it a little difficult to slide in and out of pockets.
Fit: the Linkbuds S fit very similar to the Galaxy Buds 2 and deeper than the WF-1000XM4. They are a little fiddly to fit. In my case I have to rotate them back and forth to get them to seat correctly. Although Sony instructs users to rotate the buds backwards to get a good fit I actually found this uncomfortable because the buds would rub against my Crus Helix and cause discomfort. Rotating them forward slightly fixed the issue. Once the buds were in place I found the fit to be secure and that, combined with their light weight, meant that it was easy to forget they were there. My one complaint about the fit is that the buds are so small that it's very difficult to insert them without either accidentally hitting the touch area or rubbing a finger against the noise canceling microphone, resulting in some static noise.
Noise canceling: the noise canceling on the Linkbuds S is fantastic. Although the Linkbuds S are advertised as being open I actually found them to be more isolating than the WF-1000XM4s without noise canceling on. With noise canceling on I actually found the Linkbuds S to be slightly superior to the WF-1000XM4 in terms of blocking out background noise and they certainly blow the Galaxy Buds Pro/2 out of the water. I haven't had chance to test the Linkbuds S with very low frequency sounds (e.g. public transport, planes) but for blocking out office and household noise they're the best true wireless earphones I've tried.
Sound: I saved the best to last. I was very pleasantly surprised with the sound quality of the Linkbuds S. The WF-1000XM4s were a big disappointment in this regard, with an overly dark presentation for my taste that led to recessed mids and lackluster treble. The Linkbuds S by comparison adopt a Harman-like tuning that presents mids and treble brilliantly with a satisfying bass boost that doesn't dominate the overall sound. The Linkbuds S definitely beat the WF-1000XM4s for overall sound and they're up there with the Galaxy Buds Pro/2, which are the reigning champs. Comparing the Galaxy Buds side by side with the Linkbuds S I honestly can't pick a favorite amongst the three, which I think is a very good thing.
Other: in my limited tests the transparency features are great, as with the WF-1000XM4s. The only other thing that I think is worth noting is that the Linkbuds S struggle to maintain LDAC connectivity more than the WF-1000XM4s. This isn't surprising, given the small size, but is worth considering for anyone who wants to use LDAC in challenging environments or on the go.
Wrap up: previously if I wanted to recommend a pair of true wireless earphones for someone I would have to include a 'but'. The Airpods Pro have great noise canceling but the sound isn't top tier and they don't play well with Android devices. The Galaxy Buds sound fantastic but the noise canceling isn't great and they don't play well with iOS. The WF-1000XM4s have top tier noise canceling and work well with both iOS and Android devices, but their sound isn't the best. The Linkbuds S on the other hand have top tier noise canceling, work excellent with both iOS and Android, and have excellent sound. These are now my default recommendation to anyone looking for new True Wireless earphones.
Alternative picks: If it wasn't for the better Bluetooth connectivity of the WF-1000XM4s and the improved battery life the Linkbuds S would have made the XM4s redundant. Whether the increased price is worth it for those things will be up to the individual. I think there's still a case to be made for getting the cheaper Galaxy buds over the Linkbuds S if noise canceling isn't a priority. However, I think the only reason to pay more for the Airpods Pro would be if you really like the design and/or the enhanced integration with iOS is really important.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Update 04/27/24: These little guys are tough as nails, they just keep getting better!! They ended up in my washing machine because I'm dumb, but the buds still worked perfectly fine when I took them out! The case needed a few hours before it would hold a charge again, but it's back to normal operation. Thank you Sony, this ADHDer was saved from having to spend more on a new pair! 🙌🏾
Also, I recall seeing some other reviews say these buds can't be used separately, but I've used just the right one with the left still in the case with no issues. Your mileage may vary, I guess
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I don't leave reviews unless I'm truly blown away by a product and I know these LinkBuds are the best I've had, and I've only been using them for a few minutes! In the past three years, I have gone through Jabra Elite 75t -> Soundcore A40 -> Soundcore Sport X10. Here is where they fell short for me:
- The Elite 75t was pretty good imo, the battery just aged out of use and it started having a lot of connectivity issues
- The A40 sound was muffled and terrible, the noise canceling was a joke, and it would not stay in my ears unless I pushed the buds in super deep, which made them unpleasant to wear for an extended period
- The Sport X10 fixed the issue of having my buds fall out and the sound was really good, but they pushed on my crus of helix if they weren't constantly adjusted, and now I have a discolored mark on that part of my ear that's sensitive to the touch. Yippee... The battery was also super weak, I felt like I had to charge the buds almost every night to get just three hours out of them.
The LinkBuds have everything I was looking for, and then some!
+ They look large, but they are a perfect fit for my small ears! I didn't even have to swap out the cups. I can shake my head and it doesn't feel like they'll just fly out. Very snug and comfortably seated (and no pressure on my crus of helix, anymore!)
+ The control sensors are perfectly calibrated and responsive. I usually prefer buttons because sensors can be finicky (Looking at you, Soundcore...), but the amount of pressure and presses needed for the earbuds to respond feels very natural and consistent.
+ The EQ customization is versatile and very easy to set up. The default profile sounded kind of underwhelming, but after calibrating it to my preferred settings, it's hard to want to stop playing my tunes!
+ The noise canceling is phenomenal, I truly can't hear anything but my own thoughts when it's activated. Switching to ambient noise is very smooth too.
+ Speak-to-chat is a feature I've long missed having on my audio devices, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that option on the app.
Overall, I have zero complaints thus far and I hope to use the LinkBuds for a long time :)
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
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El comprasReviewed in Mexico on August 4, 2022
Equilibrados y Sonido Balanceado, Ergonomia Depende De Tu Oido
Color: BlackVerified Purchase - Bijoy K BReviewed in India on November 1, 2023
Excellent earbuds for audiophiles!
Color: BlackVerified Purchase - KimberleyReviewed in Canada on January 24, 2025
Awesome for Small Ears, Good Otherwise
Color: WhiteVerified Purchase
Tl;Dr: Awesome for small ears and side sleepers. Good quality and easy to use. However, there's a whole app and a ton of features you might not use, making the price tag a little less worth it for you.KimberleyAwesome for Small Ears, Good Otherwise
Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2025
I absolutely recommend these earbuds if you have small ears like me. I've never had earbuds that (even with the tiniest buds) don't hurt my ears or gradually slip and fall out due to how small my ears are. These are the first earbuds I've ever had that fit like a glove and are comfortable for hours on end. You can tell how well they fit in the pictures I attached. Swear to God, doctors should prescribe you these earbuds if they notice your ears are tiny lol.
It's also awesome how low profile they are. Check out the attached picture for how little it sticks out from my ear. It's perfect if you like a lowkey style or if you like to lay on your side and listen to stuff. I can sleep on my side with both earbuds in for a good hour or two, which I really appreciate.
I also appreciate their ease of use. Pairing them to a device is simple; just press a button on the back of the case. I also like all the touch controls, e.g. tap once on the left to switch from noise cancelling to ambient, tap 4x on the right to raise volume, etc. They work well while also not being oversensitive. Your music won't pause just because your hat or hair hit your ear, which is great.
As far as quality goes, they're about what I'd expect for this price range. The sound quality is good and I like the different equalizer settings. I really like how it'll give you a little test and create an equalizer profile fit to your music taste. The noise cancelling is good enough and the ambient mode works well too. Lastly, the quality of the earbuds themselves is good. I didn't get the recycled plastic ones, but mine feel like good quality plastic.
My sole complaint is that I feel like the value for money is off a bit if you don't care about the extra software. If you don't want to install the app that goes with the earbuds and set up the extra features, it feels like a bit of a waste.
For example, there's this whole adaptive noise cancelling feature that will automatically adjust when (and how much?) noise is cancelled based on what you're doing and where you are. I haven't used this feature at all. Firstly, because it takes a set up process in a quiet place, which I never got around to doing. Secondly, it requires precise location data to be on and accessed at all times. Call me a boomer, but I don't think my earbuds need to or should know which cafés I frequent or what my schedule is like. It's a lot of work when it's already so easy to just manually switch them from noise cancelling to ambient when someone talks to you.
It also supports 360° Dolby atmos sound, which is cooler in theory than in practice. Very few music streaming platforms support this sound. Tidal was the only one I recognized, and it seems like it's dropping the service soon. I can't help but wonder if the price could have been lower if it didn't have this feature that most customers won't use.
Other people might feel the same about the equalizer settings or the ability to test and find the best fit for your ears. Anyway, if you don't care about these extra features, there might be a cheaper, simpler option for you.
Either way, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've had them for 6 months now and although the $200 price tag wasn't easy for me, I never regret my decision. I'll probably keep buying these until they stop making them lol.
Images in this review
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Paulo Cesar da SilvaReviewed in Brazil on January 29, 2023
Confortável, leve e divertido
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Utilizo o Sony Linkbuds S no home office, academia e nas corridas (longões) de final-de-semana. A qualidade dos microfones, som, ANC e som ambiente são excelentes, as funcionalidades de speak-to-chat e aprendizagem dos ambientes são muito divertidos e úteis, os LinkBuds S são confortáveis e muito estáveis, fixam bem e não caem durante os treinos de corrida. O únicos ponto que precisa melhorar e uma proteção maior conta água, suor e poeira, ele vem com IPX4.Paulo Cesar da SilvaConfortável, leve e divertido
Reviewed in Brazil on January 29, 2023
Images in this review
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AdriánReviewed in Mexico on January 7, 2023
Excelente, mejor de lo que esperaba
Color: WhiteVerified Purchase
