Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Sony WF-1000XM5
What Buyers Say
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds receive mixed feedback, with many praising the excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and great value for the price. However, a significant number of users report issues with comfort, ear tips falling off, call quality in noisy environments, and occasional connectivity problems. While some find them top-tier for music and ANC, others are disappointed by fit and durability issues.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Great value for price
- Long battery life
- Comfortable fit for many
Cons
- Ear tips fall off easily
- Uncomfortable for some users
- Poor call quality in noisy environments
- Connectivity issues
- Noise cancellation inconsistent
Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds receive mixed feedback. Many users praise the excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and comfortable fit, making them great for travel and workouts. However, a significant number of complaints focus on Bluetooth connectivity issues, poor ANC compared to previous models, and fit problems that cause discomfort or earbuds falling out. Battery life and case charging also draw criticism, with some users experiencing defects. Overall, while the audio performance is often lauded, reliability and fit concerns prevent a higher rating.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Great battery life
- Customizable app
Cons
- Bluetooth connectivity issues
- Poor ANC compared to previous models
- Fit problems causing discomfort
- Earbuds fall out easily
- Case battery drains quickly
Scores
Specifications
| Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | Sony WF-1000XM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | XS, S, M, L | XS, S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.05 kg | 0.01 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | 8.399999618530273 mm |
| Drivers | 2★ | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz | 20 Hz |
| Freq Max | 96 kHz★ | 40 kHz |
| Impedance | 10 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB | 102 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | LDAC | AAC, LC3, LDAC, SBC |
| Surround | — | Dolby Atmos |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | — | USB Type C |
| Range | — | 10 m★ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 10 hrs★ | 8 hrs |
| Charge Time | 0.16670000553131104 hrs★ | 2 hrs |
| Fast Charging | 10 Mins = 4 Hrs Playtime | 3 Minutes for 1 Hour |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 50 hrs★ | 24 hrs |
| Case Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6 | 6 |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Google Fast Pair | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | HearID 2.0 | Sony Headphone Connect App |
| Volume Limiting | — | ✗ |
| Gaming Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
Pros & Cons
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong connectivity (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong sound (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (21st percentile)
Sony WF-1000XM5
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong sound (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (12th percentile)12th %ile
Pricing
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC offers 2.6x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 3 of 40 specs.