Latest news with #Liberty5
Forbes
6 days ago
- Forbes
Open Ear Vs In-Ear? How These Earbuds Differ And Which Is Best?
Open ear is the new challenger to in-ear headphones. Is there a winner in this battle? Anker Some months ago, I encountered an entirely new format of earphones for the first time in the guise of the open-ear Soundcore C40i earbuds — and they were something of a revelation. As the name suggests, open-ear earbuds are designed specifically to let you hear sounds from the outside world as you listen, while also removing the listening fatigue associated with conventional in-ear designs. With the new open-ear Soundcore AeroClip and the Soundcore Liberty 5 earphones as reference, I thought it was an opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of each technology, so you can decide which works best for you. Open-ear earbuds refer to wireless earphones that clip onto your earlobe rather than inside or over it. A rear section houses ng the battery and Bluetooth tech, while sound chamber sits on the other and both are connected by a band made of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), a rubber-like plastic material that is lightweight, flexible and durable. Open ear earbuds has a jewelry-like appearance and let you hear the outside world as you listen. Anker Thanks to what your grandparents would think of as the wonders of 'modern technology' all of this can be contained in a tiny earbud that, in the case of the Soundcore AeroClip , weighs a mere 5.9g. The TPU material enables it to grip your earlobe firmly but without significant pressure, so you can barely feel them, and as there's nothing inside your ear canal and nothing covering your ear, you can barely tell that you're wearing them. The band also doubles up as a touch-sensitive pause and skip button and for accepting calls, which is clever. Looks-wise, the small, rounded band gives the appearance of jewelry, and as an old-fashioned type, it did cross my mind that they may look odd on me, but fortunately, this proved not to be the case, and I didn't get any strange stares — or at least, no more than normal. Ah, but surely, they are going to fall off, you might be thinking. Not so. Much to my surprise, I found that whether pounding the streets on a run, they didn't budge, giving me confidence that I could use them in many situations. That is the case, however, only if you put them on correctly. Put them over your earlobe the wrong way round and they will come off, which I learnt the hard way, when — well, there's no way to sugar coat this — one fell off my ear and into the toilet bowl. Yikes! On the upside, this was a great opportunity to test their IPX4 rating, and after I fished it out, washed and dried it off, the bud showed no ill effects, demonstrating its durability. Air Conduction As the earbuds are some distance away from your ear canal, you might wonder how they work. The answer is the science of conduction, with the angled side-firing speaker driver beaming the sound waves towards the ear canal. As there is no seal over the ear, outside sounds can be picked up as you would expect, so when running or cycling, or crossing the street on the way to the shops, you can hear traffic or be more likely to hear someone approaching you, which is a bonus for safety. Alternatively, you might be secure inside your home but want to be able to hear the doorbell as you wait for that package to arrive. Surround Sound What I wasn't expecting was how good the open-ear Soundcore AeroClips sounded. For such a tiny thing, with no physical contact to the ear, the clear and engaging output seemed almost magical, and as sound isn't being beamed directly into your ears, there was a strange sensation of not being certain if the audio was coming from the smartphone, which meant some slightly panicked checking the first couple of times. Whether for podcast voices or for 'breeze hop' (aka relaxing funky beats, which is a term I think I've just made up) were natural and easy to listen to. Switching things up with Oasis Live at Cardiff and the beefy weight of the guitars and the gravel in Liam's older voice showed their presence. Microphone quality was also fine, as somehow, the tiny AeroClip buds contain four microphones, and my voice came across clearly on a call, even in a crowded restaurant. So, are open ears the perfect solution? Well, not quite. The key feature of being able to hear outside sounds at the same time as your audio is also a downside. When things get too noisy, you simply cannot hear what you're listening to anymore well – and as for using them on the deafening London Underground – forget it. In ear headphones such as the Soundcore Liberty 5 are ideal for when you want to block out the ... More outside world, such as when traveling on the subway. Anker The Benefits of In-Ear This, then, is exactly where a more traditional in-ear headphone design, such as the Liberty 5, comes in. If open earbuds are aimed at letting outside noise in, in-ears are designed to do the opposite, and at just £100 ($100), the Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds are a great affordable option. At just 4.6g the buds are even lighter than the AeroClip , which is extremely light, and with no open speaker driver, it also allows for a more durable IP55 water and dust resistance rating. However, the bud is directly in your ear so there's no getting away from the fact that you are more aware of it. Sound quality priority While not a 'high-end' earphone, the Liberty 5 s have a strong emphasis on sound quality. To get that, though, you must spend time ensuring that they fit well and that a variety of easy-to-swap tips in different sizes are provided. From previous experience, I had assumed that I had abnormally small ear canals and so went straight for the smallest ones. However, my mistake was flagged up by the 'HearID' sound test routine in the app. This test analyzes your hearing and adjusts the headphones' output but before it starts it checks if your earbud has a proper seal. It promptly informed me that I did not. After correcting this, I immediately noticed an improvement in the sound quality. Once completed, the test determined that I had above-average hearing for my age, so I was happy to forgive being caught out by it. The Liberty 5 s are undoubtedly a step up in audio terms compared to the Aeroclips (especially if your source device supports LDAC), with meatier bass response and clearer detail. The Dolby Sound mode opened podcast audio up nicely, and while you can use custom modes, such as Bass Booster and Acoustic, I'd eschew these and use the Custom EQ mode. It takes time to optimize it, but the result will be worth it, whatever you're into. In-ears will also usually provide active noise cancelling (ANC). While some open-ear buds offer this (which appears contradictory considering that open-ear buds are designed to let sound in), for truly effective ANC, you need a sealed design — and the Liberty 5 s do a good job. The app provides five intensity levels and shortcuts for airplane or vehicle travel and there's also a 'Wind Noise Reduction' setting, which often catches ANC out, so to speak. Finally, there's also a gaming mode, which reduces latency and boosts 'footsteps and voices' at the risk of connection instability. If you do need to hear the outside world, there's a 'Transparency' mode, but you have to manually activate it and it isn't as natural an experience as open-ear buds. So, which is best? What this brief compare-and-contrast tour of open-ear vs in-ear demonstrates is that it isn't a question of better, but more about what you want to prioritize. If you appreciate being able to keep an ear on your surroundings, then open ear is the way to go, but there's no getting around that in a noisy environment, such as an office, they may not work. And while I love the airy feel of the open ears, there's no doubt that for non-causal listening, you'll get more from an in-ear design. That said, you will have to accept that, while it's not uncomfortable, you'll still be aware that there is something in your ear. There is, it turns out, no such thing as a free lunch. As such, you may need both open Ear and in-ear earbuds. It's fortunate, then, that Soundcore offers affordable options, so you can pick up both of these for less than the price of high-end options from other brands, which, in these cash-strapped times, should be music to your ears. Further reading Forbes Soundcore C40i Earbuds Review: No Noise Canceling — No Fear By Benny Har-Even Forbes NuraTrue Pro Cuts Cords But Not Corners With CD-Quality Lossless Audio Over Wireless By Benny Har-Even Forbes Acefast Acefit Pro Open-Ear Headphones Review By Benny Har-Even
Digital Trends
30-05-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
This deal gets you $45 earbuds that 'redefine' the genre
Just three weeks ago we reviewed the Soundcore Liberty 5, which we called 'excellent daily driver earbuds.' The meaning was pretty clear — the buds sell for $130, which is considerably lower than their Apple competition and sits them right in the middle of the best earbuds. They're quality buds and have Soundcore's best ANC to date. That's great stuff, but this hot deal puts an all-time low price on a difference set of Soundcore's earbuds — a more budget-minded set. The Soundcore Space A40 retail for somewhere between about $65 and $80 depending on where you look, but now you can get them for just $45. Amazon Prime members can get the blue color and any Walmart shopper can get the black color with free shipping while this deal lasts. Is it enough to completely eclipse the Liberty 5 release? For a certain type of shopper, yes. If you're that type of shopper, please tap the appropriate button below. Why you should buy the Soundcore Space A40 The Soundcore Space A40 have been on our radar for quite some time now, and we liked them even when they released with a $100 MSRP. Our Soundcore Space A40 review says that the small earbuds 'redefine what you can expect from budget wireless earbuds.' The reason they are described this way is due to a features list that transcends what we typically expect from sub-$100 earbuds. They have 'real deal' ANC, a battery life of 50 hours when you include the case (and have ANC off), are 'very comfortable,' and have the full slew of companion app features that you'd expect from superior earbuds, among other things. These are fully featured earbuds now being sold for just $45. Even if you've got something great yourself already, they make a fine gift for someone who isn't tuned into premium buds (yet). Getting the Soundcore Space A40 for just $45 instead of the usual $65-$80 we usually see them at is an amazing deal and great opportunity. But if you're still want to play the field a bit, be sure to check out our list of the best budget headphones and earbuds. There, you'll see the Soundcore Space A40, but also offerings like the JLab JBuds Mini, which are slightly cheaper at $40. However, that's their normal price. If you want quality earbuds at an incredible price, the Soundcore Space A40 at $45 are the headphones deal to beat.
Malaysian Reserve
25-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Soundcore Liberty 5: Revolutionizing Voice-Canceling with Adaptive ANC 3.0 and Dolby Audio
Top 3 Global Wireless Audio Brand[1] Unveils Next-Gen Travel-Ready Earbuds SINGAPORE, May 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Soundcore, the premium audio brand under Anker Innovations and ranked third globally in wireless headphone shipments, today launched its groundbreaking product, the Liberty 5 in Singapore. Positioned as its 'Best Voice Noise Canceling Earbuds,' this new model combines state-of-the-art Adaptive ANC 3.0 and Dolby audio, offering an immersive listening experience. The slogan 'Liberty On, Noise Off' encapsulates its goal of providing a quiet journey for modern travelers. From Startup to Global Dominance in 8 YearsSince its establishment in 2017, Soundcore has disrupted a market long dominated by decades-old legacy brands. In just eight years, it has ascended to the top 3 globally. 'Soundcore's top 3 global position is a testament to Anker Innovations' mission: Ignite possibilities through ultimate innovation,' said Leon Wu, General Manager of Southeast Asia at Anker Innovations.' True leadership means putting users first. Through strategic collaboration across our ecosystem—from Anker Innovations' charging breakthroughs to eufy's smart home intelligence—we create technology solutions that adapt to life, not the other way around.' After the Liberty 4 series received a positive response from Southeast Asian consumers, soundcore launched the Liberty 5, a newly upgraded product that offers optimized audio clarity for commutes and travels. Enhanced Noise Reduction: Twice the Human Voice Cancellation PowerThe Liberty 5's Adaptive ANC 3.0 algorithm combines a unique acoustic chamber design and advanced processing to deliver twice the voice suppression power of previous models[2]. By targeting the 300Hz–3kHz vocal frequency range, where speech energy is most concentrated, the system selectively reduces voice frequencies while scanning the environment 180 times per minute for real-time adjustments[3]. This ensures a quiet journey on trains and subways. During phone calls, all six microphones are activated to capture clear voice input while filtering out background noise. Cinematic Sound for Every AdventureThe Liberty 5 delivers a theater-like audio experience, powered by Dolby Audio technology. Users can customize their listening environments through the Soundcore app, choosing from three pre-tuned modes: Music, Movie, and Podcast, to optimize sound profiles according to the content type. The earbuds are equipped with a new 9.2mm wool-paper composite driver that minimizes distortion, achieving three times the clarity in mid and high frequencies compared to conventional true wireless systems[4]. Supported by LDAC high-resolution audio (with triple the bitrate of standard codecs) and Hi-Res Wireless Certification, it preserves studio-quality details across all music genres. Dual bass tube technology enhances low-end resonance by optimizing airflow, producing richer and more natural bass that seamlessly blends with the soundstage. Designed for Effortless TravelThe Liberty 5's travel-oriented design features a slimmer, IP55-rated body, ensuring durability in humid climates. With just a ten-minute charge in the case, the earbuds can provide up to five hours of playtime, ensuring they are always ready to go. A quick 10-minute charge provides up to 5 hours of playtime, ensuring you're always ready on the go. The earbuds offer 12 hours of playtime with ANC off and 8 hours with ANC on, while the fully charged case and earbuds deliver a total of 48 hours (ANC off) or 32 hours (ANC on) of battery life. The Liberty 5 supports Bluetooth 5.4 for stable 15-meter connectivity and Google Fast Pair, enabling instant device pairing via a half-screen pop-up notification[5]. Its SnapCharge case also offers the convenience of wireless charging. Pricing and AvailabilityThe new Liberty 5 comes in five colors: Black, White, Blue, Apricot, and Champagne Gold. It will be available starting today on Shopee, Lazada, and Tiktok, and from select retailers at SGD 179. Also, from 25th May to 22th June, the Liberty 5 has a special launch price of SGD 159. About SoundcoreSoundcore, an Anker Innovations brand, creates audio products that help spark emotions through music. This includes premium noise-cancelling TWS earbuds and headphones, smart wearable audio devices, and Bluetooth speakers. For more information, please visit About Anker InnovationsAnker Innovations is a global leader in charging and home energy storage technology and a developer of unique, consumer electronic products that support premium audio, mobile entertainment and the emerging smart home space. This innovation is being led by its key brands: Anker, Anker SOLIX, AnkerWork, eufy, Nebula, and Soundcore. More information on Anker Innovations and its various brands can be found at [1] Source: Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., 2024 global shipment volume of wireless headphones among audio brands (defined as brands with ≥75% revenue from audio equipment); wireless headphones include devices using Bluetooth or other wireless technologies. Research completed in March 2025. All references to 'global top 3' in this article are based on these findings. [2], [3], [4], [5] Data based on internal lab testing. Results may vary under different conditions.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Soundcore Liberty 5: Revolutionizing Voice-Canceling with Adaptive ANC 3.0 and Dolby Audio
Top 3 Global Wireless Audio Brand[1] Unveils Next-Gen Travel-Ready Earbuds SINGAPORE, May 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Soundcore, the premium audio brand under Anker Innovations and ranked third globally in wireless headphone shipments, today launched its groundbreaking product, the Liberty 5 in Singapore. Positioned as its "Best Voice Noise Canceling Earbuds," this new model combines state-of-the-art Adaptive ANC 3.0 and Dolby audio, offering an immersive listening experience. The slogan "Liberty On, Noise Off" encapsulates its goal of providing a quiet journey for modern travelers. From Startup to Global Dominance in 8 YearsSince its establishment in 2017, Soundcore has disrupted a market long dominated by decades-old legacy brands. In just eight years, it has ascended to the top 3 globally. "Soundcore's top 3 global position is a testament to Anker Innovations' mission: Ignite possibilities through ultimate innovation," said Leon Wu, General Manager of Southeast Asia at Anker Innovations." True leadership means putting users first. Through strategic collaboration across our ecosystem—from Anker Innovations' charging breakthroughs to eufy's smart home intelligence—we create technology solutions that adapt to life, not the other way around." After the Liberty 4 series received a positive response from Southeast Asian consumers, soundcore launched the Liberty 5, a newly upgraded product that offers optimized audio clarity for commutes and travels. Enhanced Noise Reduction: Twice the Human Voice Cancellation PowerThe Liberty 5's Adaptive ANC 3.0 algorithm combines a unique acoustic chamber design and advanced processing to deliver twice the voice suppression power of previous models[2]. By targeting the 300Hz–3kHz vocal frequency range, where speech energy is most concentrated, the system selectively reduces voice frequencies while scanning the environment 180 times per minute for real-time adjustments[3]. This ensures a quiet journey on trains and subways. During phone calls, all six microphones are activated to capture clear voice input while filtering out background noise. Cinematic Sound for Every AdventureThe Liberty 5 delivers a theater-like audio experience, powered by Dolby Audio technology. Users can customize their listening environments through the Soundcore app, choosing from three pre-tuned modes: Music, Movie, and Podcast, to optimize sound profiles according to the content type. The earbuds are equipped with a new 9.2mm wool-paper composite driver that minimizes distortion, achieving three times the clarity in mid and high frequencies compared to conventional true wireless systems[4]. Supported by LDAC high-resolution audio (with triple the bitrate of standard codecs) and Hi-Res Wireless Certification, it preserves studio-quality details across all music genres. Dual bass tube technology enhances low-end resonance by optimizing airflow, producing richer and more natural bass that seamlessly blends with the soundstage. Designed for Effortless TravelThe Liberty 5's travel-oriented design features a slimmer, IP55-rated body, ensuring durability in humid climates. With just a ten-minute charge in the case, the earbuds can provide up to five hours of playtime, ensuring they are always ready to go. A quick 10-minute charge provides up to 5 hours of playtime, ensuring you're always ready on the go. The earbuds offer 12 hours of playtime with ANC off and 8 hours with ANC on, while the fully charged case and earbuds deliver a total of 48 hours (ANC off) or 32 hours (ANC on) of battery life. The Liberty 5 supports Bluetooth 5.4 for stable 15-meter connectivity and Google Fast Pair, enabling instant device pairing via a half-screen pop-up notification[5]. Its SnapCharge case also offers the convenience of wireless charging. Pricing and AvailabilityThe new Liberty 5 comes in five colors: Black, White, Blue, Apricot, and Champagne Gold. It will be available starting today on Shopee, Lazada, and Tiktok, and from select retailers at SGD 179. Also, from 25th May to 22th June, the Liberty 5 has a special launch price of SGD 159. About SoundcoreSoundcore, an Anker Innovations brand, creates audio products that help spark emotions through music. This includes premium noise-cancelling TWS earbuds and headphones, smart wearable audio devices, and Bluetooth speakers. For more information, please visit About Anker InnovationsAnker Innovations is a global leader in charging and home energy storage technology and a developer of unique, consumer electronic products that support premium audio, mobile entertainment and the emerging smart home space. This innovation is being led by its key brands: Anker, Anker SOLIX, AnkerWork, eufy, Nebula, and Soundcore. More information on Anker Innovations and its various brands can be found at [1] Source: Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., 2024 global shipment volume of wireless headphones among audio brands (defined as brands with ≥75% revenue from audio equipment); wireless headphones include devices using Bluetooth or other wireless technologies. Research completed in March 2025. All references to "global top 3" in this article are based on these findings. [2], [3], [4], [5] Data based on internal lab testing. Results may vary under different conditions. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Anker Innovations Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Get Samsung's brilliant T7 SSD for under $100
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. I recently got a pair of Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds, and I love them. I wanted a budget pair of headphones under £100, that punched above their weight in sound quality and active noise cancellation, and that's exactly what I got. And I just sorted out a £10 discount for all Creative Bloq readers with Soundcore (UK only – but they're still a bargain at $130 for all US readers). If you enter the code CREATIVEBLOQ at checkout, you'll get an exclusive £10 off the Liberty 5s. It's not the biggest deal, but on an already fantastically-priced pair of in-ear headphones, I think it's a great bargain. The Liberty 5 designers are obviously a fan of Apple AirPods Pro, but that's not where the comparisons end. The active noise cancellation on these things are fantastic! So is the transparency mode. I also own the Apple AirPods Max, and though I'm certainly not comparing them to those, it's good for context. Basically, the Liberty 5s have no real right to be hitting ANC and sound quality levels like they do, and all for just £90. If you get a pair, be sure to download the Soundcore app and have a play with the equaliser. Below is a custom setting that I think really presents these headphones in their best light. Liberty 5 £100 £90 at Soundcore with code CREATIVEBLOQSave $10: These are my most recent purchase, and I really like them. For budget earbuds, they punch way above their weight class in sound quality (especially after playing with the equaliser through the Soundcore app), and boast great active noise cancellation. $89.99? Absolute bargain! View Deal See other great SSD deals here:
