Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Sony - LinkBuds Open | Master & Dynamic - MW09 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — with case | 22 h | 48 h |
| Battery — buds | 8 h | 16 h |
| Spatial audio | true | false |
| Active noise cancellation | false | true |
| Weight per bud | 5.1 g | 6 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP57 |
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 63.6 and the MW09 scores 86.1 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The MW09 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 22.5 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. The single most decisive one: Has Spatial audio.
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. The single most decisive one: Battery — with case — 118.18% more. 48 h vs 22 h.
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.
Which should you buy: Sony - LinkBuds Open or Master & Dynamic - MW09?
Master & Dynamic - MW09 leads the current Mars Score by 22.5 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare battery — buds, weight per bud against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Sony - LinkBuds Open if…
Sony - LinkBuds Open has the measurable edge on has spatial audio, weight per bud g.
Choose Master & Dynamic - MW09 if…
Master & Dynamic - MW09 has the measurable edge on battery life case h, battery life buds h, has anc.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
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.