Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds: features, specs and who they suit

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (model A3947) are true wireless earbuds that combine active noise cancelling with Hi-Res wireless audio support and a long battery life. They are designed for commuters, travellers and anyone who wants to cut down on background noise, with tuning options in a companion app.

How the noise cancelling works

Active noise cancelling (ANC) uses microphones to listen to outside sound and generates opposing sound waves to reduce it. It works best on steady, low-pitched noise such as engines, fans and road rumble, and less well on sudden or high-pitched sounds.

Soundcore says Liberty 4 NC reduces noise by up to 98.5%, using a high-sensitivity in-ear sensor, an oversized driver and a noise isolation chamber. That figure is the brand's own and depends on test conditions, so real-world results will vary with fit and environment.

The earbuds use what Soundcore calls Adaptive ANC 2.0. It makes real-time calculations and adjusts to the shape of your ear canals and the noise around you. In general, adaptive systems are useful because a poor seal changes how well cancelling works, and the earbuds can compensate for that.

Sound quality and LDAC

The earbuds use 11mm custom-tuned drivers. Soundcore says they support Hi-Res wireless audio through LDAC, a codec developed by Sony that transfers about three times more data than a standard Bluetooth connection. To benefit, your phone or player must also support LDAC (many Android devices do), and the music source needs to be high quality. Where the source device doesn't support it, the earbuds fall back to a standard codec.

Personalising the sound

HearID 2.0 is Soundcore's tool for building a sound profile suited to the listener. If you prefer to adjust things yourself, the EQ in the app is fully adjustable, and there are 22 presets. This lets you tune the same earbuds for bass-heavy music, podcasts or classical.

Battery life

Soundcore lists "10H/50H" battery life: about 10 hours from the earbuds and up to 50 hours including the charging case. The listing also mentions wireless charging for the case. Actual playtime depends on volume and whether ANC is on, as noise cancelling typically uses more power.

Connectivity

Liberty 4 NC use Bluetooth 5.3. Bluetooth 5.x is common on recent earbuds and generally provides a stable link with good range.

Who they suit

They suit people who spend time on trains, planes, buses or in open-plan offices, who want to adjust their sound profile, and who value a long battery life without carrying a bulky headphone set. The LDAC support is mainly relevant if you own a compatible phone.

What to check before you buy

• Fit: in-ear earbuds rely on a good seal. Try the supplied ear tips and check the manual for guidance.
• LDAC support: confirm your phone or audio source supports LDAC if that matters to you.
• Wireless charging: make sure you have a compatible wireless charger if you want to use that feature.
• Awareness: noise cancelling reduces what you can hear around you. Take care near traffic and follow local rules.
• Case size: the listing gives case dimensions of about 4.3 x 4.3 x 2.2 inches, so check it fits your bag or pocket.

The short version

• True wireless earbuds with Adaptive ANC 2.0, rated by Soundcore at up to 98.5% noise reduction.
• 11mm drivers, Hi-Res audio and LDAC support.
• HearID 2.0, an adjustable EQ and 22 presets in the app.
• Around 10 hours per charge and up to 50 hours with the case.
• Bluetooth 5.3 and wireless charging.

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