Are Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds Worth the Hype?

In the world of earbuds, there is always a race to offer the best features at a competitive price. Soundcore has recently released their Liberty 4 NC Earbuds, claiming that they can match up to higher-end earbuds that cost significantly more. With impressive specifications and features like LDAC, extended battery life, multi-point connectivity, and active noise cancellation, these earbuds seem promising on paper. In this article, we will dive into the features, design, sound quality, and overall performance of the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds to determine if they truly live up to the hype.

Unveiling the Features

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds come packed with impressive features that make them stand out in the market. Here are some notable features:

1. Fast Pairing and Fit Test: The earbuds support Google Fast Pair and work seamlessly with both iPhones and Android devices. They also come with a fit test to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.
2. Battery Life: The earbuds offer an impressive 8 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) on and 10 hours without ANC. The charging case provides an additional 40 hours of battery life.
3. Customizable Touch Controls: Each earbud has single, double, and triple-tap gestures, as well as tap and hold controls. These can be fully customized through the companion app, allowing users to personalize their experience.
4. Safety Features: The earbuds include a safe volume limiter to prevent ear damage and a wind reduction feature for ANC. They also offer an extra-low latency gaming mode for gamers.
5. Multi-Point Connectivity: One of the standout features is the ability to connect the earbuds to two devices simultaneously, making it convenient for users to switch between devices effortlessly.
6. Additional Features: The earbuds offer auto play and pause, mono mode for listening to a single earbud, sound lead compensation, and the ability to customize the auto power off period.

Exploring the Design

The design of the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds is sleek and functional. The charging case is of medium size, featuring a USB Type-C port for charging and wireless charging capabilities. Interestingly, the case has a button for opening, but it is not necessary to use it as the case is magnetically closed and can be opened by simply pushing the top. The earbuds themselves follow the classic stem design, ensuring a comfortable fit. They also come in five different colors, including white, pink, light blue, dark blue, and black, offering users a variety of options to choose from.

Comfort and Security

Comfort and security are crucial factors when it comes to earbuds. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds excel in providing exceptional comfort. Despite their lightness, they offer a secure fit, thanks to the design that grasps the outer portion of the ear effectively. This makes them ideal for various activities, including workouts and running. The earbuds are water-resistant (IPX4), making them suitable for workouts, although they should not be submerged in water.

Sound Quality and Performance

While the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds boast impressive specifications, the actual sound quality may vary depending on personal preferences. The earbuds support LDAC, which ensures high-quality audio resolution. However, the default EQ, known as Soundcore Signature, can be bass-heavy and muddy, with vocals sometimes getting drowned out. The overall sound lacks instrument separation and detail in the highs. There are numerous EQ presets, including a custom EQ option, allowing users to fine-tune the sound to their liking. While the sound may not be the most natural or articulate, these earbuds offer decent audio performance, especially for workouts and bass-heavy music genres.

Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode

The active noise cancellation (ANC) on the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds is impressive. It is adaptive ANC 2.0, which can be adjusted or set to specific levels through the app. Soundcore claims that it blocks 98.5% of sound, although it is essential to understand that the effectiveness of ANC can vary based on individual perceptions. In tests, the ANC on these earbuds performed well, blocking out a significant amount of external noise. However, the transparency mode, which allows users to hear their surroundings, is not as effective as expected. It provides a moderate level of transparency but lacks clarity.

Pros and Cons

To summarize the performance of the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds, here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Impressive active noise cancellation performance
• Extensive feature list, including multi-point connectivity and customizable touch controls
• Intuitive companion app with EQ customization options
• Long battery life with and without ANC
• Comfortable and secure fit
• Water-resistant design

Cons:

• Transparency mode lacks clarity and transparency
• Sound quality may not be satisfactory for audiophiles
• The physical button on the case may not be preferable for some users

Conclusion

Considering all the features, specifications, and performance of the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds, they offer excellent value for their price. The active noise cancellation, customizable touch controls, and extensive feature list make them stand out in their price range. However, it is important to note that the sound quality may not please audiophiles, and the transparency mode could be improved. If you are looking for feature-rich earbuds at an affordable price and do not prioritize audiophile-level sound quality, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds are a great option.