First Impressions: A Heavyweight Contender
The true wireless earbud market is dominated by a few key players, but Anker’s Soundcore brand has been steadily climbing the ranks. With the release of the Liberty 5 Pro and its larger sibling, the Pro Max, Soundcore isn't just aiming for parity with Apple; they are claiming supremacy in specific areas that matter most to commuters and professionals: voice clarity and noise isolation. The central claim here is bold. Soundcore states these earbuds hold a world record for voice call pickup, having been tested against 13 major competitors. But claims on paper need verification in the real world. To test this, we took the Liberty 5 Pro series to one of London’s noisiest and busiest transit hubs: King’s Cross station during rush hour. The goal was simple: determine if these buds can truly isolate your voice from chaos while delivering an audio experience that justifies their existence alongside more established rivals like the AirPods Pro 2.Design, Hardware, and Comfort
Before diving into performance, it is worth noting the hardware foundation. Both the Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max models share identical internal components regarding sound processing, but they differ in case design. Each earbud houses four microphones and a bone conduction sensor specifically tuned to enhance voice pickup and active noise cancellation (ANC). This array of sensors allows for intelligent switching between mics based on environmental conditions, such as wind direction during calls. Comfort is critical for ANC efficacy, and Soundcore has addressed this with a selection of ear tips and medium wing tips included in the box for added security during movement. The official IP55 rating offers better dust and water resistance than many competitors, making them suitable for gym sessions or rainy commutes. Control is handled via capacitive touch on the back of each bud, supplemented by smart voice controls that can function even when disconnected from a phone—a useful fallback if your device battery dies mid-use. The case design marks the primary divergence between models. Both feature built-in OLED touchscreen displays, allowing users to adjust ANC modes, EQ settings, and wallpapers without touching their phones. The Pro Max model adds magnetic rails for MagSafe charging compatibility and introduces an exclusive AI note-taking capability on its larger display. While the Pro lacks magnets, both cases support Qi wireless charging and offer substantial battery life: up to 28 hours total with ANC enabled, including a quick-charge feature that provides four hours of playback from just five minutes in the case.Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency
ANC performance is where many earbuds claim victory but fail under pressure. Soundcore claims their new adaptive ANC is 100% better than the previous Liberty 4 Pro generation, capable of adjusting levels on the fly across five manual settings. Testing this in a moving train environment revealed immediate differences. When compared side-by-side with AirPods Pro 2, the Liberty 5 Pro series created a noticeably quieter cabin. The high-frequency hiss and low-end rumble typical of commuter trains were suppressed more aggressively by Soundcore’s implementation. However, ANC is rarely perfect against unpredictable sounds like crying babies or sudden announcements. In simulated tests involving sharp, piercing noises, both earbuds struggled to eliminate the sound entirely, though the Liberty 5 Pro managed to dampen it slightly further than Apple’s offering. Transparency mode is equally important for safety on platforms and streets. Soundcore has implemented an "Easy Chat" feature that automatically switches from ANC to transparency when you begin speaking. This allows for seamless interaction with ticket barriers or baristas without manually toggling modes, a convenience that feels particularly useful in fast-paced travel scenarios.Audio Performance: Power and Precision
Sound quality is subjective, but the technical approach here offers clear advantages for certain listeners. The Liberty 5 Pro utilizes large 9.2mm wool paper drivers, which contribute to a sound profile that leans heavily into bass compared to the more neutral mids-and-highs focus of many competitors. This results in a punchier, more immersive experience, particularly beneficial for classical music, theatrical scores, and movies where spatial awareness is key. For audiophiles, the support for LDAC high-resolution audio is significant. When paired with a compatible device, the detail retrieval improves dramatically. Listeners can discern subtle nuances often lost in standard Bluetooth compression: the natural ambience of a recording space, the texture of breath in vocal tracks, and the friction of fingers on guitar strings become distinct layers rather than a blurred mass. The companion app introduces "HearID," an AB-test feature that creates a custom EQ curve based on your hearing preferences using generic reference tracks. This personalization ensures that the default sound signature can be tailored to individual ear anatomy or preference, moving away from one-size-fits-all tuning. Additionally, support for Dolby Atmos with head tracking allows audio to remain fixed in space relative to the device, enhancing movie-watching immersion by locking sound direction even as you move your head.AI Features: The Real Differentiator
The Liberty 5 Pro series distinguishes itself through software capabilities driven by Soundcore’s new "Anker Thus" computer-in-memory AI chip. This hardware upgrade provides significantly more computing power, enabling features that go beyond simple audio processing. For frequent travelers, the real-time AI voice translation tool is a standout feature. It allows users to hear conversations in their native language while others speak in theirs, effectively breaking down language barriers during international travel. While still an emerging technology, its integration into earbuds makes it more accessible than carrying a dedicated translator device. The Pro Max case adds another layer with built-in AI note-taking. This feature records meetings or lectures, transcribes the audio, and summarizes key points directly on the case’s display. For business professionals who cannot always take notes during fast-paced discussions, this hands-free utility offers tangible productivity value. Connectivity is also robust, supporting triple-point pairing. Users can connect to a laptop, phone, and smartwatch simultaneously, with intelligent switching ensuring audio routes correctly without manual intervention. This reduces the friction of moving between devices throughout a workday.What Works Well
- Voice Call Clarity: The bone conduction sensors and multi-mic array deliver exceptional voice pickup in windy, noisy environments, often outperforming established competitors.
- Battery Life: 28 hours of total playback with ANC on is generous, and the quick-charge feature mitigates anxiety about dead batteries during commutes.
- Audiophile Features: LDAC support and large wool paper drivers provide a detailed, bass-rich soundstage that appeals to music lovers.
- Safety Features: IP55 rating and smart voice controls ensure usability in various physical conditions without needing to touch the phone or earbuds directly.
Where It Falls Short
- Dolby vs. LDAC Conflict: Users cannot utilize Dolby Atmos head tracking and LDAC high-res audio simultaneously, forcing a choice between spatial immersion and maximum bitrate clarity.
- Crying Baby Test: While excellent for consistent noise like train rumbles, ANC still struggles with sudden, sharp transient sounds common in public transport.
- Case Size: The Pro Max case, while feature-rich, is larger due to the screen and magnets, potentially making it less pocket-friendly than standard charging cases.