Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: earbuds with active noise cancellation, personalized sound, and crystal-clear calls even in chaos
There are products that do exactly what they promise, and then there are products that surprise you. The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro belong to the second category. Presented by Anker as the best wireless earbuds for call quality, they strongly position themselves to become a benchmark in a market segment crowded with established names like Apple, Sony, and Bose. The result is a product rich in technology, deeply customizable, and capable of a sound experience that can be genuinely surprising for those who have never tried high-end earbuds.
The series comes in two models: Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max. The former is available in Black, White, Blue, and Blush at a price of €179.99, while the Pro Max comes in Titanium Black and Gold and goes up to €249.99. Compared to the first version, it adds a 1.78-inch AMOLED screen on the customizable case with wallpaper, as opposed to the 0.96-inch TFT touch solution of the 5 Pro, and the exclusive AI Note-Taker function for recording, transcribing, and automatically summarizing conversations. Both models have won design awards in 2026 and are powered by the same technological foundation: the proprietary chip ANKER Thus.
It all starts with the ANKER Thus proprietary chip developed by Anker, which integrates computing directly into NOR Flash memory to eliminate the constant data transfers between memory and processor typical of traditional architectures based on SRAM. The practical result is threefold: reduced energy consumption, superior computational efficiency, and a physical footprint of about one-sixth compared to conventional solutions. Anker claims that the AI computing power is up to 150 times higher than the chip in the previous flagship model.
Audio Quality: A Sound for Everyone, Custom-Tailored
The most striking aspect in practical tests is the sound quality. The audio is very precise, with powerful, well-defined bass, present midranges, and detailed highs. For anyone used to mid-range earbuds or entry-level solutions, encountering this sound quality is quite special. In some ways, it approaches what one gets with good audiophile headphones, which is quite a remarkable achievement. However, it's fair to say that the physical limitations of earbuds compared to over-ear headphones remain, and can't be completely ignored. The micro-drivers of the earbuds cannot physically move air like the 40mm or larger drivers of audiophile headphones, resulting in bass that, while powerful, lacks the naturalness and depth of an equally priced open headphone. The soundstage is the most evident limitation: earbuds direct sound straight into the ear canal, whereas over-ear headphones, especially open-back models, allow sound to interact with the ear's anatomy. Additionally, the direct sound pressure on the eardrum can fatigue hearing more quickly compared to the natural dispersion of an open headphone. That said, in their segment, the Liberty 5 Pro are among the best experiences available of those we've tested, surprising in some respects and performing not too differently from the best solutions from Apple or Bose. Those comparing them to professional wired IEMs from brands like Shure, Campfire Audio, or 64 Audio will find further differences in terms of absolute detail, but that would lead one into a specialized market of a completely different nature and price.
Enhancing the audio experience even further is the HearID 5.0 system, a personalized audio profiling function that goes beyond a simple hearing test as in previous versions. HearID 5.0 integrates three AI engines working in synergy: an auditory compensation engine that adjusts the sound curve to the physiology of the ear, an AI audio revitalization engine that analyzes and "repairs" compressed or low-quality tracks, and a customized listening engine that considers musical preferences and the environment in which you find yourself. The musical preference test in the soundcore app allows you to choose your favorite genre and listen to two audio variants (A and B) to further refine the profile.
Moreover, through the display on the case, it is possible to change the equalization on the fly and immediately perceive the difference, which is one of the most engaging experiences during the entire test: the change is immediate, tangible, and illustrates how the sound can be shaped in real-time without any perceivable latency. All backed by LDAC for high-resolution streaming and Dolby Atmos with head tracking for spatial audio.
Active Noise Cancellation: Five Modes, Real Effectiveness
The ANC 4.0 is one of the strongest points of these earbuds. The system uses 8 microphones, the same configuration used for calls, powered by the Thus chip to monitor ambient noise in real time and dynamically adjust the noise reduction curve. There are five cancellation modes available, allowing precise configuration of sound output based on the context: from filtering only transport noises to a more aggressive cancellation that embraces voices, office sounds, and even keyboard clicks. It’s a granular control that is greatly appreciated in practice, as not all noises are disturbing to the same extent, and not everyone wants to isolate completely. Again, it is possible to change settings on the fly via the case display or, alternatively, through the app provided by Soundcore.
For those who do not want to isolate themselves, there is a Transparency mode, which allows ambient sounds to pass through naturally, useful when walking on the street or wanting to stay aware of the surrounding environment. We tested the active cancellation on a plane, during a flight, and the result was impressive: passenger voices were almost completely eliminated, while engine noise was significantly reduced—not erased, but lowered to a level that became almost inaudible during music playback. The overall effect is greatly comfortable, making the journey much more pleasant and restful. The music, already of excellent quality, gains further presence thanks to the absence of competing background noises.
Lab data supports our impressions. In the independent tests conducted according to the ETSI TS 103 106 standard, which is the international reference for voice quality in noisy environments, in a head-to-head comparison with 14 global flagship models, the Liberty 5 Pro achieved the highest G-MOS score of 3.76 (max scale 5, with a "good" threshold at 3), outperforming all tested competitors. The G-MOS is a composite index that combines voice fidelity (S-MOS) and noise suppression (N-MOS), and is considered the most reliable measure to assess performance in chaotic environments. This is a significant achievement.
Calls: Whisper-Clear Even in Bars and Subways
The microphone system consists of 8 microphones plus 2 VPUs (Voice Pickup Units), which capture bone vibrations of the voice to further eliminate external noises. The AI Large Model algorithm processes the signal in real-time and can separate the voice from ambient noise even in environments reaching 100 dB, such as a bar or a busy street. In contrasting conditions, that is, in quiet spaces where one prefers to speak softly to avoid being overheard, the system can still pick up the voice and transmit it clearly to the interlocutor. The performance of phone conversations turns out to be one of the most distinctive elements of the entire series.
Fit and Comfort
The fit is good. The earbuds are generously sized and attach very well to the ear thanks to their shape, making it virtually impossible for them to slip out during use, even in motion. They put some pressure on the outer ear, which can be a bit uncomfortable during prolonged sessions, but the various customization options with silicone tips included in the package greatly improve this aspect, as it's almost always possible to find the most suitable size for one's anatomy. The IP55 certification protects them from dust and splashes, making them suitable for use in the gym and outdoors without particular worry.
There is also a voice control system named Anka, capable of managing 20 integrated commands for playback, volume, and sound modes without the need to touch the phone. Bluetooth connectivity is available in version 6.1 with tripoint connection (three devices simultaneously), the traditional multipoint for those using multiple devices in parallel, and the AI Translation function for real-time conversation translation. The soundcore App, available for both iOS and Android, is the control center for all settings: HearID profiles, equalizer, ANC modes, customizable touch controls, firmware updates, and battery level.
With ANC activated, battery life during our tests lasts about 6 hours with the earbuds alone and 28 hours total with the charging case. Without ANC, it reaches 12 hours on the earbuds and 50 hours overall. Fast charging is one of the most convenient features: 5 minutes of charging guarantees 4 hours of listening, while the case recharges via USB-C. Numbers that allow us to be quite satisfied regarding battery life.
Verdict
The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro are a mature, technically advanced product that manages to impress on almost all fronts. The call quality is genuinely above average, the noise cancellation works very well, and the sound is rich and customizable in ways that someone used to standard consumer products might find hard to expect at this price.
The fit requires a small initial adjustment with the right tips, but once the correct size is found, the adherence is solid and reliable. Those looking for high-end wireless earbuds with a strong AI component, excellent calls, and a high-level sound experience will find the Liberty 5 Pro a proposal hard to ignore, even compared to solutions from more renowned brands. The Pro Max version adds interesting productivity features and a better display, but at a higher price.