First of all, I'm an audiophile and a technophile.
I've spent 40 years in consumer electronics, so I'd consider myself as someone who is approaching expert level.
Secondly, I've a headphone addiction. I don't want to add up what I've spent on headphones this year, or any year, for that matter.
I own them all, value brands (under $50.00) mid-range $100-$200 and higher end, Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, etc.
I particularly like headphones that punch above their weight class. In other words, these $150.00 headphones can compete with their Sony and Bose competitors that sell for almost twice as much money.
I evaluate headphones using the following criteria:
1. Ease of pairing.
2. Fit and comfort. How long can I comfortably wear these headphones?
3. Accessories. I like a good selection of different sized ear tips and wings to secure a good fit.
4. Battery life and the size of the charging case.
5. Packaging and unboxing. A company that gives me a good experience opening the packaging usually means a quality device.
6. Device build. Does it feel cheap? Or, does it use quality materials?
7. Sound quality (most important!) I evaluate sound quality on the following factors: Bass response. Is it clear and tight? Is it boomy and muddy? Midrange response. Good midrange means better vocal sound quality. Treble response. As males age, we lose our ability to hear higher frequencies or midrange. Good treble allows the listener to hear cymbals clearly.
All right, let's go.
Ease of pairing. You can do two things. The first time you use these headphones, they go into pairing mode. Using your device's Bluetooth settings, pair them up and they are ready to go. OR, download the Soundcore app from your respective app store and install it. Using the app, it will detect your Pro 3's and start the setup process. After a quick firmware update, I continued the setup. The app has a HearID procedure that tests your hearing, using different frequencies to see if you can hear them. It then tunes the headphones to your individual hearing abilities for each ear. You can also download an LDAC codec if you use a hi-res streaming service like Tidal, Qobuz or Amazon Music HD (I've got them all.) Apple Music finally supports lossless audio but if you're using an iOS device? It doesn't support lossless audio, even with their Airpod Pro model. Full disclosure: I don't like Apple products, other than my iPad for Facetime. Once you use the app and go through the setup? That's where these models shine. I was startled at how good they sounded.
Fit and comfort: I've been wearing these headphones for almost 4 hours and I'm not noticing any significant discomfort. I suspect 6 hours will be my limit and I'll have to take them out of my ears for a break. As all of our ears are different? Your mileage may vary. Choosing the right tip and wing is vital.
Accessories: It's an efficient setup with a good selection of tips and wings for most users. The charging case is smaller than the previous model which is nice.
Battery life: I always recommend charging before 1st use. After 4 hours, I'm still at 65% battery remaining with ANC on. They claim up to 32 hours, with a full charge on the case. Depending on what level of ANC you use and listening volume, your mileage may vary. I suspect that their claims are pretty accurate.
Packaging and unboxing: Efficiently excellent. They come in a 6" by 6" square box. It opens like a book, with quick start guide on inside left. The eartips and wings are in the "spine" of the packaging, followed by the headphones in their charging case and a USB C (nice!) charging cable.
Device build: Excellent. I was impressed with copper color of the "speakers" (where you install the ear tips) I bought the black model. They have a nice matte finish with a grey/silver casing.
Sound quality: (Finally!) Overall, they are excellent and they definitely punch above their weight class. The bass response is tight with the tiniest bit of boominess or muddy sound. I suspect a proper break in or changing the wings or eartips will solve reduce this. The midrange and vocals are impressive to excellent. Vocals are very clear and maybe a tad "bright". The treble is excellent. The highhat cymbal is damn near perfect. The stereo imaging and soundstage is EXCELLENT. You can place the instruments in the room. The depth of sound is excellent as well. You can hear the drummer behind the singer and guitar player to left and right. I used Tidal in Hi Res and used the headphones set up in LDAC mode.
I use three songs to evaluate my headphones.
Wicked As It Seems from Keith Richards excellent Main Offender album (2022 remaster) Keef records in analog and live in the studio. It keeps the "air" in the music and doesn't reduce the imaging quality.
Barbie Dreams by Nicki Minaj. I really am not a fan of rap or modern R/B music. I just listen it to evaluate bass response. This track is where I noticed the slight "boom" in the bass. These tracks are basically made and mixed in a computer. No air in them. If you like this type of music, these headphones are satisfying.
One by U2 (Mary Blige/U2 duet) This where the vocals and imaging shine. You can hear the subtlety in the Edge's guitar playing. The drums and bass are right where they need to be. You can hear the scratchiness in Bono's vocals and the sheer perfection of Mary's vocal range.
I'll probably move on to some Fleetwood Mac, Phil Collins, and the Rolling Stones for further evaluation. I also like Adele and Imelda May. I expect I'll have the same experience as my 3 reference tracks. After I do some more varied listening, I'll adjust my rating(s) if necessary.
My review is really 4.5 stars. They are not quite a 5 but definitely deserve more than 4 stars.
If you're eying Sony XM1004 or Bose Soundsport or Sennheiser equivalents but are struggling with spending $300+? Grab these Liberty 3 Pro headphones. Yes, the Sony and Sennheiser will sound better but not twice as good as these Pro models at half the price.
If you're looking at dipping your toes in hi-res music and want a starting point? You can't go wrong with these Liberty 3 Pro headphones. I heartily recommend you use the Soundcore app and take the time to do the firmware updates and do the HearID to match these headphones to your ears and hearing abilities.
If you've read this far? What are you waiting for? Get a pair or two....
| Model name | Liberty 3 Pro |
|---|---|
| Connectivity technology | Wireless |
| Wireless communication technology | Bluetooth |
| Included components | Cable, Wireless Charging Case |
| Age range (description) | Adult |
| Material | Silicone |
| Charging time | 8 Hours |
| Control type | Application Control |
| Cable feature | Without Cable |
| Item weight | 0.13 Pounds |
| Package type | FFP |
| Style | In-ear |
| Manufacturer | Anker |
| Place of Business | shenzhen, guangdong 518000,CN |
| Model | A3952 |
| Part Number | A39520A1 |
| Special features | Surround Sound, Ergonomic, Noise Cancellation |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Microphone format | Built-In |
| Voltage | 230 Volts |
| Battery Average Life | 8 Hours |
| Batteries included | No |
| Batteries Required | No |
| Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Polymer |
| Cable Feature | Without Cable |
| Material Type | Silicone |
| Does it contain liquid? | No |
| Includes rechargable battery | Yes |
| Manufacturer | Anker |
| Item model number | A3952 |
| Product Dimensions | 15.1 x 4.7 x 15.1 cm; 58.97 g |
| ASIN | B09CGM6FJ7 |
