Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Review: Great sound at an affordable price
In the world of affordable true wireless earphones, Anker has consistently delivered impressive audio solutions. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, priced at $99.99, is no exception.
With its active noise cancellation (ANC), robust bass performance, and a host of premium features, the Liberty 4 NC solidifies its position as one of the best budget wireless earbuds on the market.
Whether you’re a budget-conscious audiophile or someone looking to step up their audio game, the Liberty 4 NC is undoubtedly worth considering. In this review, we delve into its features and performance to understand why it stands out.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Video Review
| Specs | Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
| Sound | 11mm custom-made driver |
| ANC | 2.0 Adaptive ANC |
| Noise Reduction | Reduce Noise By Up to 98.5% |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC codec |
| Bluetooth Range | 10 m |
| Microphone | 6 mics with AI algorithm |
| Controls | Touch |
| Water Resistant | IPX4 |
| Playtime | 10 hours / 50 hours |
| Fast Charging | 10 mins = 4 hours |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
Acquaintance
The package includes a generously-sized charging case, two elongated earphones that are somewhat larger in size, and a set of four pairs of ear tips to ensure a personalized and comfortable fit for a variety of users. As a nod to environmental consciousness, the entire package is presented in eco-friendly reduced plastic packaging, highlighting the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
Visually, the Liberty 4 NC earbuds closely resemble their predecessors Liberty 4, but there are noticeable modifications that set them apart. One of the most evident changes can be observed in the design of the charging case. Unlike the slide cover on the original model, the Liberty 4 NC case now features a button mechanism for easy and automatic opening. Additionally, the case itself is slightly larger, accommodating the changes in the earbud design.
The Liberty 4 NC Charging Case has an elegant brushed metal finish that looks very nice. Pressing the button to open the case reveals the earbuds, which are thoughtfully designed for effortless removal from the relatively robust case. These earbuds are offered in a variety of five colors: classic black, serene light blue, deep dark blue, delicate light pink, and pristine white. This choice of colors allows users to express their personal style and preferences.
The Liberty 4 NC charging case weighs in at 43 grams, while each individual earbud weighs around 5.6 grams. This lightweight design ensures that the earbuds are comfortable to wear for extended periods.
It’s important to note that the Liberty 4 NC earbuds prioritize a comfortable fit within the ear canal. While they provide a secure fit for everyday activities, they may not be the optimal choice for intense sports activities.
In terms of durability, the Liberty 4 NC earbuds boast an IPX4 rating, which signifies their ability to withstand splashes and light exposure to moisture. This suggests that they are suitable for activities in environments where the earbuds are likely to come into contact with water to some extent, such as light rain or sweat during workouts.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Сontrol
One enhancement of the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds is the improvement in their controls. In the previous Liberty 4 model, Soundcore introduced stem-based pinch controls that resembled those found in the Apple AirPods 3rd Gen/AirPods Pro. However, the Liberty 4 NC model maintains touch controls, providing users with an alternative interface. Although personal preferences may vary, it’s important to highlight that the touch controls on the Liberty 4 NC earbuds are exceptionally well-executed.
The Liberty 4 NC’s touch controls are responsive and user-friendly. Furthermore, these controls offer a reassuring tactile feedback tone when tapped correctly, enhancing the overall user experience. Users have the flexibility to assign functions to each of the four available gestures for each earbud, tailoring the controls to suit their preferences.
A notable innovation in the Liberty 4 NC earbuds is the incorporation of wear sensors. The wear sensors enable the earbuds to automatically pause and resume playback when you remove or replace them in your ears. Furthermore, the wear sensors go a step further by preventing the touch controls from responding when the earbuds are not worn.
ANC and Call quality
Anker employs its adaptive ANC 2.0 technology, which is intended to adjust the noise cancellation in real-time for optimal effectiveness. In my testing, the adaptive ANC didn’t quite live up to its promises. While it did manage to drown out common distractions such as chatty pedestrians and loud televisions, it struggled with more challenging noises like low-frequency sounds (e.g., gardening tools or the hum of a fan).
When using the Liberty 4 NC earbuds in a home office setting, the noise cancellation didn’t provide a substantial level of silence. Everyday sounds like doorbells and smartphone notifications managed to pierce through the ANC barrier. Even music playing loudly from a portable speaker in the vicinity managed to interfere with the intended sound isolation of the Liberty 4 NC.
However, the standout performance came from the two-setting Transparency Mode. The Full Transparency mode heightened environmental awareness, while the Vocal Mode emphasized vocals to facilitate clear communication. This was particularly useful for staying aware of surroundings while walking and conversing with other
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds excel in call quality, providing an impressive and clear communication experience. The noise compression technology effectively handles nearby loud sounds, ensuring that your voice remains intelligible to callers. Whether you’re in a noisy outdoor environment or indoors, the Liberty 4 NC earbuds deliver call quality that rivals your smartphone’s microphone. With their consistency in performance compared to the Liberty 4 model, users can confidently choose either model without compromising on call quality.
Sound Quality
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds exhibit a surprising level of airiness in their sound signature. This characteristic is partly attributed to their large 11mm drivers, a noteworthy feature for in-ear headphones. The larger driver size allows for more spacious sound reproduction, contributing to an immersive and open auditory experience.
Interestingly, the sound quality of the Liberty 4 NC earbuds is notably similar to that of the Liberty 4 model, showcasing a level of consistency and refinement. Upon testing, the Liberty 4 NC earbuds managed to deliver a more robust and well-balanced sound signature, particularly noticeable in the midbass and bass regions. From an equalizer (EQ) perspective, the Liberty 4 NC and Liberty 4 are strikingly similar, both offering exceptional bass response, as well as clear and articulate mids and highs.
One of the standout qualities of the Liberty 4 NC earbuds is their minimal distortion, even at volume levels that are safe and comfortable for extended listening. This attribute ensures that users can enjoy their music without any compromise in audio quality or causing discomfort.
An additional advantage of the Liberty 4 NC earbuds is the level of customization they offer through the Soundcore app. The app provides an array of EQ options to cater to specific tuning preferences. Users can explore a wide range of presets and even delve into manual customization with an eight-band equalizer. The app also features a 3D surround sound mode that expands the soundstage, providing a more immersive listening experience. The HearID Sound system is a particularly intriguing feature, as it seeks to create a personalized EQ profile based on the user’s unique frequency perception.
Battery life
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds boast commendable battery life. According to Anker’s specifications, these earbuds can achieve an impressive 10 hours of playtime with noise cancellation turned off. However, activating the noise cancellation feature reduces the playtime to 8 hours, and using LDAC technology brings it down to 7 hours. Their battery life surpasses that of the top-selling AirPods Pro 2, which provides a range of 5.5 to 7 hours, and aligns closely with the performance of the Sony WF-1000XM5, which offers 8 to 10 hours.
In real-world usage, the Liberty 4 NC earbuds demonstrated their staying power, providing up to 3 days of moderate use per charge.
The charging case can store a substantial 50 hours of extra battery life. This is a considerable advantage when compared to the cases of its competitors, such as the AirPods Pro 2 (30 hours) and the WF-1000XM5 (34 hours). This extended battery reserve ensures that users can confidently rely on their Liberty 4 NC earbuds throughout their busy days without worrying about running out of power.
Furthermore, the inclusion of wireless charging capability adds an extra layer of convenience to the Liberty 4 NC earbuds.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Conclusion
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds, priced at $99, establish themselves as an appealing choice for budget audiophiles.
With their powerful drivers, customizable settings, and top-notch audio quality facilitated by Bluetooth 5.3 and LDAC support, these earbuds cater to music enthusiasts seeking a compelling listening experience.
While the noise cancellation might not be a strong suit, the overall feature set and price make the Liberty 4 NC earbuds a worthy consideration for music lovers who prioritize depth and detail in their auditory journey.
You can also check out the best-selling True Wireless Active Noise Canceling Earbuds on Amazon:
