Between the LinkBuds Open and MW09, the LinkBuds Open comes out ahead in spatial audio / weight per bud, while the MW09 wins on battery — with case / battery — buds. Overall, the LinkBuds Open scores 69.5 and the MW09 scores 79.3 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The MW09 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 9.8 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the LinkBuds Open if audio quality and feature breadth (ANC, codecs, multipoint) are the lead criteria for your purchase. The biggest gaps in its favor are spatial audio, weight per bud.
Pick the MW09 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are battery — with case, battery — buds, active noise cancellation, among others.
Both ship with comparable driver size, multipoint, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the MW09 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Sony - LinkBuds Open wins
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
- ▲Weight per bud — 0.90 g less. 5.1 vs 6.
Why Master & Dynamic - MW09 wins
- ▲Battery — with case — 118.18% more. 48 h vs 22 h.
- ▲Battery — buds — 100.00% more. 16 h vs 8 h.
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Water resistance: IP57 (vs IPX4).
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Sony - LinkBuds Open | Master & Dynamic - MW09 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | openlead | in-ear |
| Weight per bud | 5.1 glead | 6 g |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IPX4 | IP57lead |
Audio
| Spec | Sony - LinkBuds Open | Master & Dynamic - MW09 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | false | truelead |
| Transparency mode | false | truelead |
| Spatial audioⓘ | truelead | false |
Battery
| Spec | Sony - LinkBuds Open | Master & Dynamic - MW09 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 8 h | 16 hlead |
| Battery — with case | 22 h | 48 hlead |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | false | truelead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Sony - LinkBuds Open | Master & Dynamic - MW09 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3 | 5.4lead |
| Codecs | AAC,SBC | aptX Lossless,aptX Adaptive,AAC,SBC |
| Multipointⓘ | true | true |
| In-ear detection | false | truelead |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery, LinkBuds Open or MW09?+
MW09 lasts 16h per charge vs 8h.
Do LinkBuds Open or MW09 support multipoint?+
Both support multipoint pairing.
Which has ANC, LinkBuds Open or MW09?+
MW09 has active noise cancellation; LinkBuds Open does not.
Spec-level deep dives
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