For the CROWN 👑 Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Liberty 4 vs Space A40

Summary

In this video, El Jefe Reviews compares three Soundcore earbuds: Liberty 4 NC, Liberty 4, and Space A40. He evaluates them across various categories like Bluetooth connection, comfort, controls, battery life, transparency mode, ANC, sound quality, and microphone performance. The Liberty 4 NC stands out for its value under $100, while the OG Liberty 4 excels in sound quality and volume. El Jefe concludes that the Liberty 4 NC offers the best bang for the buck, especially for new buyers, but current Liberty 4 owners can wait for future releases.

Takeaways

• 🎧 Soundcore just released the Liberty 4 NC, making it a strong contender in the $100 earbud market.
• 🔗 Both the Liberty 4 and Liberty 4 NC feature Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, while the Space A40 uses Bluetooth 5.2.
• 🎮 The Liberty 4 NC and Space A40 have a low-latency gaming mode, unlike the original Liberty 4.
• 👂 The Space A40, with its smaller size, offers better comfort and stability, especially for smaller ears or those looking for sleep-friendly earbuds.
• 🔊 The Liberty 4 NC excels in control responsiveness with its touch controls, which are preferred over the squeeze controls of the original Liberty 4.
• 🔋 The Liberty 4 NC has the best battery life among the three, with 6 hours 37 minutes of ANC on, followed closely by the Space A40.
• 🌬️ The Liberty 4 NC stands out in transparency mode with its wind noise reduction feature, which is missing in the other two models.
• 🔇 The Liberty 4 NC offers superior active noise cancellation (ANC) with Adaptive ANC 2.0, making it stronger than the ANC on the other models.
• 🎵 The original Liberty 4 takes the lead in sound quality due to its dual-dynamic drivers, providing a more natural tonality and wider sound stage.
• 🏆 For those who already own the Liberty 4, there's no immediate need to upgrade, but for new buyers, the Liberty 4 NC offers the best value under $100.

Q & A

Which earbuds are being compared in the video?

The video compares the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, the original Soundcore Liberty 4, and the Soundcore Space A40.

What is the significance of Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio in the Liberty 4 and Liberty 4 NC?

Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio is the latest Bluetooth version used in the Liberty 4 and Liberty 4 NC, offering improvements over Bluetooth 5.2 used in the Space A40, although the difference is not huge.

Do all three earbuds support the same audio codecs?

Yes, all three earbuds support SBC, AAC, and LDAC audio codecs.

Which earbuds offer a low-latency gaming mode?

The Liberty 4 NC and the Space A40 offer a low-latency gaming mode, while the original Liberty 4 does not.

How do the earbuds perform in terms of comfort and grip?

The Liberty 4 NC and Liberty 4 are equally comfortable and stable, while the Space A40, with its smaller size, feels lighter and more stable, making it a better choice for people with smaller ears or for sleeping.

What type of controls do the Liberty 4 use, and what are the issues reported by some users?

The Liberty 4 uses squeeze controls, which worked well for the reviewer but have received mixed reviews from some users regarding their effectiveness.

Which earbuds have the best controls according to the reviewer?

The Liberty 4 NC has the best controls, as they are quick, responsive, easy to learn, and easy to use.

What are the battery life results for the Liberty 4 NC with ANC turned on and off?

The Liberty 4 NC has a battery life of 6 hours and 37 minutes with ANC turned on, and 8 hours and 44 minutes with ANC turned off.

How does the Liberty 4 NC's transparency mode differ from the other two earbuds?

The Liberty 4 NC's transparency mode includes wind noise reduction, which is not available on the other two options, providing an advantage in breezy or windy conditions.

What is the main difference between the ANC technology used in the Liberty 4 NC and the original Liberty 4?

The Liberty 4 NC uses Adaptive ANC 2.0, which adapts to the user's ears and creates a new filter depending on the outside noise, providing stronger ANC in various conditions compared to the original Liberty 4's Soundcore HearID Adaptive ANC.

Which earbuds have the highest volume level, and what are their respective decibel levels?

The original Liberty 4 has the highest volume level at 117.1 decibels, followed by the Liberty 4 NC at 116.4 decibels, and the Space A40 at 113.6 decibels.

How does the sound quality of the Liberty 4 NC compare to the original Liberty 4?

The Liberty 4 NC has a single 11-millimeter dynamic driver with strong bass and clean treble, while the original Liberty 4 has dual-dynamic drivers providing deeper bass extension, a cleaner mid-range, and a wider sound stage, making the original Liberty 4 the winner in sound quality.

What is the reviewer's final recommendation for someone who does not own any of these earbuds?

The reviewer recommends the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC for its incredible value and performance, especially considering its sub $100 price tag.

Outlines

00:00

🎧 Earbuds Comparison Overview

The script introduces a comparison of Soundcore's Liberty 4 NC earbuds against the original Liberty 4 and the Space A40, all around the $100 price point. The video promises to cover Bluetooth connectivity, comfort, controls, battery life, transparency mode, ANC performance, sound quality, and microphone tests. It emphasizes that the review is unsponsored and aims to help subscribers decide which earbuds suit them best.

05:02

🔗 Connectivity and Features Comparison

This paragraph delves into the technical specifications of the three earbuds, highlighting Bluetooth versions, connection codecs, multi-point connectivity, and single-usage mode. It notes the presence of a low-latency gaming mode in the Liberty 4 NC and Space A40 but not in the original Liberty 4. The summary favors the Liberty 4 NC for its Bluetooth 5.3 and LE Audio, along with the gaming mode.

10:04

🏃‍♂️ Comfort, Grip, and Controls Assessment

The script discusses the physical attributes and fit of the earbuds. It points out that the Liberty 4 NC and Liberty 4 share the same shape and size, providing equal comfort and stability. In contrast, the Space A40's smaller size offers a lighter feel and greater stability, making them suitable for smaller ears or sleeping. The paragraph also covers the customizable controls, with the Liberty 4 NC and Space A40 using touch controls and the Liberty 4 using squeeze controls, which have mixed reviews. The Liberty 4 NC's touch controls are praised for their responsiveness.

🔋 Battery Life and Transparency Mode Evaluation

The script presents battery life test results, with the Liberty 4 NC outperforming the others, followed by the Space A40 and then the Liberty 4. It also discusses the transparency mode of the earbuds, noting that while all offer decent performance, the Liberty 4 NC stands out with the addition of wind noise reduction, which is particularly useful during outdoor activities.

🎵 Active Noise Cancellation and Sound Quality Ranking

The paragraph compares the ANC capabilities of the earbuds, with the Liberty 4 NC featuring an upgraded Adaptive ANC 2.0 that adapts to varying external noises, providing stronger ANC performance than the Liberty 4 and Space A40. The sound quality section ranks the earbuds, with the Liberty 4 leading due to its dual-dynamic drivers, followed by the Liberty 4 NC for its strong bass and the Space A40 in third place.

🎤 Microphone Performance Test

This paragraph provides a brief on the microphone quality of the three earbuds, showcasing samples taken in both a semi-quiet indoor environment and a simulated noisy crowd scenario. The specific results of these tests are not detailed in the script, but it sets the stage for a direct comparison of call clarity and noise cancellation capabilities of the microphones.

🏆 Final Verdict and Recommendations

The final paragraph wraps up the review with a verdict. Despite the OG Liberty 4 leading in volume and sound quality, the Liberty 4 NC is praised for its value, especially considering its performance in various categories. The script advises current Liberty 4 owners to wait for future releases, while newcomers are wholeheartedly recommended to purchase the Liberty 4 NC for its exceptional value under $100. The review ends with a signature sign-off from the reviewer.

Keywords

💡Liberty 4 NC

The 'Liberty 4 NC' refers to the new noise-cancelling earbuds from Soundcore, which are the main subject of comparison in the video. These earbuds are highlighted for their features such as Bluetooth 5.3, LE Audio, and Adaptive ANC 2.0. The video compares their performance against the original Liberty 4 and the Space A40, emphasizing their value and capabilities in the context of the $100 price point.

💡Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3 is the latest Bluetooth version mentioned in the script, which is utilized by the Liberty 4 and Liberty 4 NC for improved connectivity. It signifies an advancement over Bluetooth 5.2, which is used by the Space A40. The script points out this difference to highlight the technological edge of the Liberty 4 NC and Liberty 4 earbuds.

💡LE Audio

LE Audio stands for Low Energy Audio and is a protocol included in Bluetooth 5.3 that offers improved audio streaming with lower power consumption. The script mentions that both Liberty 4 and Liberty 4 NC earbuds use LE Audio, indicating a focus on efficiency and high-quality audio experience.

💡Codecs

In the context of the video, codecs refer to the audio compression formats used by the earbuds, such as SBC, AAC, and LDAC. These codecs are crucial for the audio quality and are supported by all three earbud models compared in the video, ensuring high-resolution audio playback.

💡Multi-point Connectivity

Multi-point connectivity is a feature that allows earbuds to connect to two devices simultaneously. The script mentions that all three models support this, providing flexibility for users who want to switch between devices without needing to reconnect their earbuds.

💡Low-latency Gaming Mode

The 'low-latency gaming mode' is a special feature of the Liberty 4 NC and Space A40 that reduces audio delay during gaming, providing a more immersive and responsive experience. The script notes that the original Liberty 4 lacks this feature, making the NC and A40 more suitable for gamers.

💡Comfort and Grip

The terms 'comfort' and 'grip' are used in the script to describe the physical fit and stability of the earbuds in the user's ears. The Space A40 is highlighted for its smaller size, which contributes to a lighter feel and better stability, making it a preferred choice for those with smaller ears or for sleeping.

💡Touch Controls

Touch controls are a user interface feature that allows users to interact with the earbuds by tapping or swiping on them. The script mentions that the Liberty 4 NC and Space A40 use touch controls, which are found to be more responsive and preferred over the squeeze controls of the Liberty 4.

💡Battery Life

Battery life is a critical factor for earbuds, referring to the duration they can operate before needing to be recharged. The script provides specific battery life figures for all three models, with the Liberty 4 NC outperforming the others, especially when noise cancellation is turned off.

💡Transparency Mode

Transparency mode is a feature that allows external sounds to be heard through the earbuds, which is useful for safety or awareness of the surroundings. The script notes that all models offer decent transparency performance, but the Liberty 4 NC stands out with the addition of wind noise reduction, enhancing its utility in outdoor conditions.

💡Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

Active Noise Cancellation, or ANC, is a technology that reduces unwanted ambient noise using microphones and sound processing. The script discusses the ANC capabilities of the Liberty 4 and Space A40, which use Soundcore HearID Adaptive ANC, and the Liberty 4 NC, which offers an enhanced version, Adaptive ANC 2.0, providing stronger noise cancellation across various conditions.

💡Sound Quality

Sound quality is a subjective measure of how well earbuds reproduce audio. The script compares the sound profiles of the three models, noting that while the Liberty 4 NC offers impressive sound for its price, the original Liberty 4, with its dual-dynamic drivers, provides a cleaner and more natural sound quality, making it the top choice in this category.

💡Microphone Samples

Microphone samples in the script refer to audio recordings made using the earbuds' microphones to test and compare their voice pickup and noise reduction capabilities. The script includes tests in both quiet and simulated crowd noise environments, providing insights into the performance of each model's microphone in different settings.

Highlights

Soundcore Liberty 4 NC offers Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio and low-latency gaming mode, setting it apart from the OG Liberty 4 and Space A40.

Liberty 4 NC and Liberty 4 share the same shape and size, providing equal comfort and stability.

Space A40's smaller size makes it lighter, more stable, and suitable for people with smaller ears or those who want to sleep with earbuds.

Liberty 4 NC's touch controls are the best tested on any Soundcore products, making them quick, responsive, and easy to use.

Liberty 4 NC leads in battery life with six hours and 37 minutes with ANC on, and eight hours and 44 minutes with ANC off.

All three models offer decent transparency mode, but Liberty 4 NC includes wind noise reduction, enhancing performance in windy conditions.

Liberty 4 NC's Adaptive ANC 2.0 creates a new filter based on outside noise, providing stronger ANC than the Liberty 4 and Space A40.

Liberty 4 NC ranks first in ANC performance, followed by Liberty 4 and Space A40.

Liberty 4 has the highest volume output at 117.1 decibels, making it the loudest among the three.

Liberty 4's dual-dynamic drivers offer deeper bass extension, smoother mids, and crisper treble compared to Liberty 4 NC's single dynamic driver.

Liberty 4 NC performs exceptionally well for its price, offering great value and performance close to the OG Liberty 4.

Liberty 4 NC is recommended for those without any of the mentioned earbuds due to its superior value and performance under $100.

Liberty 4 NC outperforms competitors like SoundPEATS, EarFun, and Edifier in the sub $100 category.

Microphone tests in various environments show that all three models provide clear audio quality, even in noisy surroundings.

Liberty 4 NC gets the El Jefe Reviews stamp of approval for being the best value under $100.

Transcripts

- Soundcore just dropped the Liberty 4 NC,

making it much more difficult to figure out

which earbuds you should buy right around

that $100 price point.

In this video I'll be comparing them

against the OG Liberty 4, as well as the Space A40

so that you can decide which one is gonna be best for you.

I'll also be including rankings and microphone samples,

so make sure you stick around all the way to the very end.

Also, for transparency,

this video is not sponsored in any way by Soundcore.

I'm making this video for all the subscribers

and channel members who asked for this comparison.

So, let's get into it.

So first up, let's start with that Bluetooth connection.

So there's gonna be a lot of similarities here,

so let's run 'em down real quick.

So both Liberty 4 and Liberty 4 NC

are using Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio.

The Space A40s are using Bluetooth 5.2.

It's not a huge difference here,

but I needed to go ahead and point that out

because there is a difference.

As far as connection codecs,

all three use SBC, AAC, and LDAC.

Now, all three also offer multi-point connectivity

for up to two devices, and all three also support

single-usage mode where you can use one earbud at a time

while the other one is charging in its case.

Now, one of the bigger differences here

are the Liberty 4 NC and the Space A40.

Both of them offer a low-latency gaming mode,

where the OG Liberty 4 do not.

As far as connectivity, all three are pretty evenly matched

with the only real differentiating factor

being the gaming mode option

on the Liberty 4 NC and the Space A40.

If I had to choose between these two,

I'd give the edge to the Liberty 4 NC

since they bring both gaming mode and Bluetooth 5.3

with LE Audio.

But, that's just me.

So now let's move over to comfort and grip.

So both the Liberty 4 NC and the Liberty 4

share the same shape and size.

Equally comfortable and stable in my ears.

The outlier here are the Space A40

with their substantially smaller size.

This gives the Space A40, a lighter feel in the ear,

while simultaneously feeling more stable

and less prone to movement during my walks.

The smaller size also makes the Space A40 a better choice

for people with smaller ears,

or those looking for a set of earbuds

that they can sleep in.

These added benefits make this an easy win

for the Space A40.

So let's move over to the controls.

So all three of these are offering

fully customizable controls,

so they are on even footing when it comes to that.

Both the Space A40 and Liberty 4 NC use touch controls,

while the Liberty 4 use squeeze controls.

In my own experience, the squeeze controls on the Liberty 4

worked well enough for me during my own testing.

But I did read that some people were experiencing issues

with the squeeze controls,

so it seems that they have mixed reviews

on their effectiveness.

But seeing as how the Liberty 4 NC

have gone back to touch controls,

it seems like Soundcore is doubling down on this

being the preferred method.

Now, that said, the touch controls on the Liberty 4 NC

are the best I've tested on any Soundcore products,

and I've got pretty much all of 'em at this point.

So they're very quick, very responsive, easy to learn,

and very easy to use.

This gives the Liberty 4 NC the win for controls.

So now let's get into the performance aspects.

So let's start with battery life.

So I'm gonna go ahead

and put the numbers up here on the screen.

Now, the winner for the battery life here

are these Liberty 4 NCs,

coming in with six hours and 37 minutes

with noise cancellation turned on,

and eight hours and 44 minutes

with noise cancellation turned off.

Second place went to Space A40s

with six hours and 19 minutes

with noise cancellation turned on,

and eight hours and 22 minutes

with noise cancellation turned off.

And in third place, we've got the Liberty 4s

with five hours and 57 minutes with ANC turned on,

and seven hours and 39 minutes with ANC turned off.

So not a huge disparity between the three,

but, a win is a win, and the numbers don't lie.

Now, all of this testing was done at 75% volume

with mixed usage as far as music and videos are concerned.

All of that with the LDAC codec specifically.

Obviously these numbers will change

if you're not using LDAC, all of these numbers go up.

So, just throwing that out there.

If you wanna see all the individual battery life numbers,

you are gonna have to watch the individual videos

for these products.

So now let's move over to the transparency mode.

Now, all three of these offer

decent transparency performance.

In my testing, the OG Liberty 4 seemed to have

a bit more clarity versus the other two.

However, what actually set them all apart

is the welcome addition of wind noise reduction

on the Liberty 4 NC,

which is not available on the other two options.

The time that I use transparency mode the most

on my daily life is when I'm out on my walks,

and the addition of wind noise reduction is truly helpful

on breezy or windy days.

So this gives the edge, however slight,

to the Liberty 4 NC.

So, let's go ahead and give them a quick ranking here.

So, don't mind my special graphics

that I've got going on here.

Don't worry about that.

This is just how we roll on this channel.

So in first place we're going to have

the Liberty 4 NC,

in second place we're gonna have the Liberty 4,

and in third we're gonna have the Space A40.

So there you have it, that's the ranking.

Moving on, let's get into the active noise cancellation.

Now, both the Liberty 4 and the Space A40

offers Soundcore HearID Adaptive ANC.

This version adapts to your ears and chooses a preset filter

to block out outside noise.

Now, the Liberty 4 NC offer Adaptive ANC 2.0,

and this version adapts to your ears and then creates

a new filter depending on the outside noise.

The effect is stronger ANC in a variety of conditions.

Now, is it a huge difference

over the Liberty 4 and the A40?

No, but it is a noticeable difference and it is stronger,

and it definitely moves the Liberty 4 NC

ahead of the other two for ANC performance.

So, let's go ahead and rank them once again.

Here we have 'em.

First place for the Liberty 4 NC.

Second place for the Liberty 4.

Third place for the Soundcore Space A40.

So now let's get into the sound quality and the volume,

but let's start with the volume.

So I'm gonna go ahead and put the numbers

right up here on the screen.

First place we've got the Liberty 4

coming in at 117.1 decibels.

Second place we've got the Liberty 4 NC

with 116.4 decibels.

And third place we've got the Space A40

coming in with 113.6 decibels.

All three of these are gonna get more than loud enough

for most people, including the Space A40.

We're talking 113 decibels.

Like really, anything over 100 decibels

is already getting into dangerous territory.

So, just throwing that out there.

These are gonna be loud enough for most people.

But if you do want the max volume,

then the OG Liberty 4s are gonna take the win here.

So now let's go ahead and jump into the sound quality.

Now, all three of these offer HearID for personalized sound,

as well as a ton of different preset EQ options,

all of which can be customized to your own personal taste.

All three of these also support LDAC codec

for high-res audio playback on Android devices.

So as far as echos, they're all pretty evenly matched.

Now, while the Space A40 offer good sound

and value for their price, they are outperformed

by both the Liberty 4 NC and the Liberty 4

in the sound quality test, putting them into third place.

So the real battle here is between the OG Liberty 4

and the Liberty 4 NC.

Now, the main difference between these two

are the dual-dynamic drivers in the OG Liberty 4s.

This gives them a distinct hardware advantage

over the Liberty 4 NC.

But, let's go ahead and break it down a little bit.

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC,

they come in with their single 11-millimeter dynamic driver

which delivers strong, punchy bass with smooth, warm mids,

and a clean treble.

More dynamic and more V-shape.

So more bassier as far as their EQ is concerned.

Very good.

Definitely BassHead Crew certified 100%.

They got the stamp of approval.

But, the Liberty 4 with their dual-dynamic drivers,

they give you deeper bass extension

that not only hits hard, but it gets out quickly.

It's fast, and they have a clean, smooth, warm mid-range

with a much more natural tonality when it comes to voices

and to live instrumentation.

It's very, very good.

As far as the treble, it's crisp, it's airy,

and it has a wider sound stage to it.

So for me, this was a tough choice.

The Liberty 4 NC sound far better

than I had expected for their price tag,

but the OG Liberty 4 have cleaner sound quality overall,

so I have to hand them the win here.

Now, if I had to rank them when it comes to sound quality,

third place we've got the Soundcore Space A40.

Second place we've got the Liberty 4 NC.

And in first place you've got the OG Liberty 4.

So now let's go ahead and jump into some microphone samples

for all three of these so you can see how they stack up

against each other for yourself.

Alright, so here we have the microphone quality sample

for the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.

So, testing, testing, one, two, three.

As you can see, once again,

I'm indoors in a semi-quiet room.

So, testing, testing, one, two, three.

And here we have the microphone test

for the Soundcore Liberty 4.

So, testing, testing, one, two, three.

As you can see, once again,

I'm indoors in a semi-quiet room.

So, testing, testing, one, two, three.

Alright, so here we have the microphone sample

for the Soundcore Space A40.

So, testing, testing, one, two, three.

As you can see, once again,

I'm indoors in a semi-quiet room.

So, testing, testing, one, two, three.

(crowd speaking indistinctly)

And here we have the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

in a simulated crowd noise environment.

So something like a busy bar, a crowded restaurant,

or something along those lines.

So, testing, testing, one, two, three.

And here we have the Soundcore Liberty 4

in a simulated crowd noise environment.

So something like a busy bar, a crowded restaurant,

or something along those lines.

So, testing, testing, one, two, three.

And here we have the Soundcore Space A40

in a simulated crowd noise environment.

So something like a busy bar, a crowded restaurant,

or something along those lines.

So, testing, testing, one, two, three.

So now let's get into my final verdict.

In my testing, the OG Liberty 4 outperform the others

when it comes to both volume and sound quality.

But is that enough to justify the additional cost

over the other two options?

For some, it might be.

For others, it might not.

What is undeniable here is the awesome bang for buck value

that we are getting from the Liberty 4 NC,

especially considering how the Liberty 4 NC

beat the OG Liberty 4 in so many categories,

as well as coming close, like nipping at their heels,

when it comes to both volume and sound quality.

So, which one should you buy?

Two answers here.

If you already have the OG Liberty 4s,

then you can definitely hold off on picking up

the Liberty 4 NC and save your money

for whatever is coming next from Soundcore.

Now, I don't know what that is or what it will be

or when it will be released,

so don't ask, 'cause I don't know.

Now for answer number two, if you don't already own

any of these earbuds, then I would wholeheartedly recommend

getting the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.

They offer incredible value for their sub $100 price tag,

more so than the Space A40,

as well as any of the competitors from SoundPEATS,

EarFun, or Edifier.

They are the true king under $100 at this time,

and they get the full El Jefe Reviews stamp of approval.

Now, if you wanna check out my full videos

on any of these earbuds,

check out the videos I'll leave for you

right up here on the screen.

With that said, my name is Jefe, and I'm out this bitch.