These Anker earbuds sound simply nearly as good as my AirPods Professional however for half the value

Once I consider earbuds that value between $130 and $150, I are likely to assume they’ve the capability to be good, however they do not usually attain past that degree. There are exceptions, however even these exceptions are likely to fail once they get pushed too exhausting (i.e., an excessive amount of quantity or bass). 

Additionally: Lastly, wi-fi earbuds that sound nice, really feel comfy, and will not break the financial institution 

These earbuds can get loud… and never in a nasty method. In case you crank them up, the sound can be simply nearly as good as in case you had been listening to them at mid-levels.

I like that. Loads.

However the Liberty 5 earbuds aren’t nearly cranking the amount to 11. Let me clarify.

My expertise

Earlier than I speak concerning the precise sound produced by the Liberty 5 earbuds, I wish to speak concerning the setup course of. To this point, the setup of those earbuds has been essentially the most spectacular I’ve ever skilled.

First off, you actually wish to have the Soundcore app in your telephone (Android/iOS) as a result of it is what offers you true customization. When you join the app to the earbuds, you may in all probability be alerted to a firmware replace. Be sure you full that course of earlier than doing something. 

Additionally: These wi-fi headphones transported me to audio nirvana – and are my new all-time favourite

After the firmware replace, you might be offered with a personalization expertise. The app performs a snippet of a tune and asks you to pick between two decisions. Be sure to pick the selection that sounds higher to you. This repeats 5 instances, and whenever you full it, the personalised sound can be listed because the Choice Check within the Sound Results part of the app.

I examined the Preferences Check in opposition to my traditional EQ curve within the Customized possibility, and I really discovered the Preferences Check to be superior.

My first take a look at was to play Primus’ “Antipop” album, and I used to be shocked at how good the Liberty 5 produced Les Claypool’s bass. It was wealthy, agile, thumping (however not overly so), and clear. On the identical time, the highs had been impressively crisp, and the mids had been clean as silk.

I then determined to see how these would deal with spoken phrase, so I switched to a YouTube video a few native historic house and located the narrator to be buttery clean and crystal clear (with out the standard amped mids which might be typically related to clear narration).

Additionally: Lastly, open-ear headphones that sound nice and match me comfortably (and so they simply acquired cheaper)

Subsequent was a hop to some classical music and Yo-Yo Ma’s newest launch (Shostakovich: The Cello Concertos). I used to be shocked, given how properly these earbuds served alt-metal, that they had been capable of deal with classical with the grace and gravitas that the music demanded. These earbuds had been completely matched for classical and introduced the music to life with a large soundstage, heat, and the required agility. Yo-Yo Ma’s Davidov Stradivarius cello sounded superb within the fingers of the grasp.

Each style I threw on the Liberty 5 earbuds put a smile on my face. You would not suppose a $129 pair of earbuds might obtain such clean and correct sound, however there ya have it. 

Do perceive that once I point out accuracy, I am not speaking concerning the accuracy on the extent of a high-quality studio monitor. As an alternative, these earbuds are able to staying true to the music whereas nonetheless being a bit extra “produced” than a conventional monitor. For the consuming seeking to improve their earbuds, that is factor. It means you may get loads of detailed bass, the correct amount of mids, and crystal-clear highs. 

Additionally: Marshall expands its client audio product lineup, introducing a promising soundbar

I might simply see the Liberty 5 earbuds changing into my go-to. With detailed sound mixed with a really comfy really feel, I may be apt to decide on these over a pricier pair.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

You would be hard-pressed to discover a pair of earbuds which might be able to making a well-defined, personalised listening to expertise and producing such energetic, detailed sound at $129. 

That is why the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 might need turn out to be my greatest purchase for 2025 (thus far), so I would not hesitate to advocate them. In case you’re in search of sound that is able to blowing you away (with each quantity and high quality), these earbuds are those to get.

The specs

• Adaptive ANC 3.0 with transparency mode.
• Bluetooth 5.4.
• Dolby Audio.
• 9.5 mm Wool and paper diaphragms.
• IP55 water and dirt resistant.
• Seize images out of your telephone with a pinch of a stem.
• Helps LDAC
• Battery – 12 hours on full cost, with an additional 36 hours with the case. A ten-minute quick cost will get you 5 hours of playtime.
• Custom-made EQ – HearID 4.0.
• Weight – 4.6 g (with out case)