Sony’s LinkBuds Clip keeps the ear canal open

Sony introduced LinkBuds Clip on 21 January with a C-shaped design that sits outside the ear canal. The earbuds include removable fitting cushions and three listening modes: Standard, Voice Boost and Sound Leakage Reduction. Sony listed January availability at a suggested £180 or €200 in its UK announcement.

The product also includes DSEE processing, a configurable ten-band equaliser and voice pickup using a bone-conduction sensor alongside noise reduction. An open fit is a substantive design choice: outside sound reaches the ear physically, rather than being reconstructed entirely through a transparency mode. Sony describes the design as suited to staying aware of surroundings, but that is not a guarantee of safety in traffic or proof that leaked sound disappears in every quiet room.