The Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds deliver a significant upgrade in audio quality, noise cancellation, and overall user experience at a remarkably competitive price. This in-depth review explores the Liberty 5's strengths, highlighting its impressive sound profile, customizable EQ settings, and advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology. We'll delve into its performance compared to competitors like the Earfun Air Pro 4, examining key features such as transparency mode, microphone quality, and battery life.This review will dissect the Soundcore app's functionalities, including HearID sound personalization, gaming mode, and multi-point pairing. We'll also assess the comfort and build quality of the earbuds, along with the convenience of the wireless charging case. Ultimately, we aim to determine whether the Soundcore Liberty 5 truly offers excellent sound and ANC at a great price, justifying its place among the top contenders in the wireless earbud market.
Pros And Cons
- Performance level of Liberty 4 Pro at a lower price point
- Good ANC, controls, battery life, and microphone
- Bassy sound with adjustable EQ
- Improved ANC (Adaptive ANC 3.0) compared to predecessors, quieter than Earphone Airpro 4
- Good transparency mode with automatic activation during calls
- Good pressure relief
- Improved battery life (12 hours with ANC off, 8 hours with ANC on)
- Reliable pinch controls
- IP55 dust and water resistance
- Silicone mesh ear tips to protect from earwax
- Solid Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity
- Amazing microphone, especially with wind cancelling algorithm
- 200 Hz dip in sound signature
- Upper frequencies can get too bright in some songs
- No automatic switching to transparency mode when one earbud is removed during ANC
- Wind noise reduction consumes more battery
- Pinch sensitivity cannot be customized
- No swipe control for volume
- White color may show marks easily
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Sound Quality and EQ
The Soundcore Liberty 5 delivers a satisfying audio experience, particularly for bass lovers. While maintaining Soundcore's signature bass emphasis, the Liberty 5 offers more nuanced sound than its predecessors. The provided EQ settings in the Soundcore app allow for significant customization, letting users fine-tune the sound to their preferences. I personally found adjusting the bass and upper mids to create my ideal sound profile.
Comparisons against the Earfun Air Pro 4 reveal a competitive edge. The Liberty 5 boasts a slightly louder volume and a richer V-shaped sound signature, while maintaining a close similarity to the Harman curve. My preferred EQ settings highlighted the dynamic nature of the sound, especially noticeable in songs with complex bass lines and detailed vocal tracks.
ANC and Transparency Modes
The Liberty 5 boasts a significant improvement in active noise cancellation (ANC) compared to previous models. Adaptive ANC 3.0, borrowed from the Liberty 4 Pro, dynamically adjusts noise cancellation every 0.3 seconds for optimal performance. This results in significantly quieter listening, surpassing even the Earfun Air Pro 4 without the drawbacks of hissing or pressure.
Transparency mode is equally impressive, delivering a natural and clear audio experience while maintaining awareness of your surroundings. The automatic activation of transparency mode during phone calls is a thoughtful addition. Pressure relief is also quite good, addressing a common issue with in-ear headphones.
Features, Build Quality, and Battery Life
The Soundcore app provides a wealth of features beyond ANC and EQ. These include HearID for personalized sound profiles, a gaming mode that optimizes latency, and multi-point pairing for seamless device switching. The build quality is excellent, consistent with Soundcore's reputation for durability. The smaller earbuds are more comfortable than the Liberty 4 NC, and the pinch controls are far more reliable than touch controls.
Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 12 hours with ANC off and 8 hours with ANC on, along with three additional charges provided by the wireless charging case. This ensures ample power for extended listening sessions, even with ANC and other features enabled. The charging case itself is well-designed with a convenient pairing button and LED battery indicators.
Microphone Quality and Conclusion
The microphone's performance is a standout feature. Sound quality during calls is crisp and clear, even in environments with moderate background noise and wind. The wind noise reduction algorithm is exceptionally effective at minimizing wind interference.
Overall, the Soundcore Liberty 5 offers a compelling combination of excellent sound quality, impressive active noise cancellation, and a range of user-friendly features, all at a competitive price point. While lacking some features found in higher-end models, the Liberty 5 more than compensates with its performance and value. It's a highly recommended option for those seeking a well-rounded wireless earbud experience.