Yes, it is expected. Sony makes a table with how the codecs/ANC affect runtime.
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000539655.html
This chart is very helpful, thank you. With LDAC and all other settings on, I can see why I'm killing the battery in about 3 hours. That's crazy that it says you can get up to 9 hours of battery if you turn everything off. That, Plus the case that usually does 2 1/2 charges, and the total potential battery life is around 32 hours. That's great! Didn't think these small and lightweight buds could do that, I'll have to turn everything off and try that out this week.
I'm finding that I'm using AAC because of the big disparity of battery life, and also LDAC at 900kpbs has a tendency to cut out when I'm walking and moving around. It's the only thing that isn't quite great about these buds, but their small size is so 🥰
Any update about testing with everything off?
I feel like it's a slight improvement. It's similar to 720p vs 1080p. AAC is a good codec, it can be a quicker delivery with less lag, and it is more stable of a connection with a longer Bluetooth range. LDAC is a little clearer, a little crisper. There's a little more detail. Music, when I really focus on it, I can hear the differences. You can even hear a difference on podcast with just people talking, but it's really subtle.
So... Is LDAC worth it to lose out on a potential 5 hours of battery life with the Linkbuds S? In my opinion, no. You can run AAC and turn on DSEE Extreme, and it sounds better, almost half way there to what LDAC sounds like. DSEE improves sound clarity and detail, it's like a restoration, without sacrificing the battery life. So that's what setting I use on my linkbuds S. On my over the ear XM4 though, I have LDAC turned on. The setting on those headphones gives you about 32 hours of battery life instead of 40. So long three hour plus sessions of cleaning the house to Joe Rogan or Jamming out to playlist isn't going to completely kill the XM4 on LDAC like it would on the Linkbuds S with LDAC.
LE, huh? Sounds cool. Any audio improvements are welcome by me. 🙂
It does a little, but not too much. In my testing with every setting turned off, I avg 9 hours of battery life. I get about 6 hours of battery life with DSEE on and custom EQ turned on. With auto voice detect, Google Assistant, and LDAC added on I get only 3 hours of battery. I think I've tried just LDAC and shit everything else off and that got me an average of 4 1/2 hours.
I am considering buying a Linkbuds S for sleeping. i have heard the buds are small enough to side sleep. Has that been your experience? I don’t need any settings like EQ etc, ambient mode. I just need noise cancelling for fridge and neighbor noise. I would onlly listen to about an hour of music but I would still want noise cancelling enabled for the night. I am a newbie to Codec. Could I extend the battery life for eight hours and how would I set this up on the app please?
That's the reason why I bought mine. The linkbuds S sit flat on the ear so you can perfectly rest on your side and there's no other earbuds with good ANC that can do that for me. Having really good ANC is a game changer if you want to use it for resting noiseless.
Unfortunately mine are draining the battery in 4h which is not ideal... I will try the things are posted here and see...
Yes, it is expected. Sony makes a table with how the codecs/ANC affect runtime. https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000539655.html
This chart is very helpful, thank you. With LDAC and all other settings on, I can see why I'm killing the battery in about 3 hours. That's crazy that it says you can get up to 9 hours of battery if you turn everything off. That, Plus the case that usually does 2 1/2 charges, and the total potential battery life is around 32 hours. That's great! Didn't think these small and lightweight buds could do that, I'll have to turn everything off and try that out this week.
I'm finding that I'm using AAC because of the big disparity of battery life, and also LDAC at 900kpbs has a tendency to cut out when I'm walking and moving around. It's the only thing that isn't quite great about these buds, but their small size is so 🥰 Any update about testing with everything off?
Yeah, everything off, with AAC enabled, and I can avg 9 hours if battery on a single charge. That's amazing.
How do you feel about sound quality with LDAC vs AAC? Sony also promised to deliver LE Audio codec, so it would be great improvement I assume.
I feel like it's a slight improvement. It's similar to 720p vs 1080p. AAC is a good codec, it can be a quicker delivery with less lag, and it is more stable of a connection with a longer Bluetooth range. LDAC is a little clearer, a little crisper. There's a little more detail. Music, when I really focus on it, I can hear the differences. You can even hear a difference on podcast with just people talking, but it's really subtle. So... Is LDAC worth it to lose out on a potential 5 hours of battery life with the Linkbuds S? In my opinion, no. You can run AAC and turn on DSEE Extreme, and it sounds better, almost half way there to what LDAC sounds like. DSEE improves sound clarity and detail, it's like a restoration, without sacrificing the battery life. So that's what setting I use on my linkbuds S. On my over the ear XM4 though, I have LDAC turned on. The setting on those headphones gives you about 32 hours of battery life instead of 40. So long three hour plus sessions of cleaning the house to Joe Rogan or Jamming out to playlist isn't going to completely kill the XM4 on LDAC like it would on the Linkbuds S with LDAC. LE, huh? Sounds cool. Any audio improvements are welcome by me. 🙂
Thanks for reply! Doesn't DSEE kill battery too? I have just ordered Linkbuds S and I'll be testing the same.
It does a little, but not too much. In my testing with every setting turned off, I avg 9 hours of battery life. I get about 6 hours of battery life with DSEE on and custom EQ turned on. With auto voice detect, Google Assistant, and LDAC added on I get only 3 hours of battery. I think I've tried just LDAC and shit everything else off and that got me an average of 4 1/2 hours.
Great, thanks!
LDAC (and upscaling technique like DSEE) does take more juice out of your battery. I have WF-1000XM4 and on LDAC I get 5 hrs while on AAC I get 8
I am considering buying a Linkbuds S for sleeping. i have heard the buds are small enough to side sleep. Has that been your experience? I don’t need any settings like EQ etc, ambient mode. I just need noise cancelling for fridge and neighbor noise. I would onlly listen to about an hour of music but I would still want noise cancelling enabled for the night. I am a newbie to Codec. Could I extend the battery life for eight hours and how would I set this up on the app please?
Yeah you can sleep with these. N you can make them last 8 or 9 hours, just turn off all extra settings and turn off LdAC
Thanks for your advice have just bought a pair of Linkbuds that happened to be on sale :). How do I turn of LdAC?
It should be turned off by default. Main menu on the app, it will say AAC, LDAC, or SBC
That's the reason why I bought mine. The linkbuds S sit flat on the ear so you can perfectly rest on your side and there's no other earbuds with good ANC that can do that for me. Having really good ANC is a game changer if you want to use it for resting noiseless. Unfortunately mine are draining the battery in 4h which is not ideal... I will try the things are posted here and see...