When Beats Solo Buds launched in late 2023 at $79.99, they shook up the budget wireless earbud market. Just a few months later, Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro arrived at $129.99, bringing premium features to the mid-range segment. Both products show how far wireless earbud technology has come, but they take different approaches to delivering value.
Let's explore what makes these earbuds tick and who they're best suited for.
Before diving into specifics, it's worth understanding what makes wireless earbuds great. The core features that impact daily use are:
Sound quality comes from both hardware (the speakers) and software (how the sound is processed). The Liberty 4 Pro uses what's called ACAA (Astria Coaxial Acoustic Architecture) - imagine a speaker within a speaker, letting it handle both deep bass and crisp highs separately. The Beats Solo Buds take a simpler approach with dual drivers, which still sounds good but isn't quite as refined.
Think of ANC as a sound eraser - it listens to outside noise and creates inverse sound waves to cancel it out. The Liberty 4 Pro uses 7 microphones and adapts to changes every 0.3 seconds. The Beats offer basic noise isolation through their fit but don't have active cancellation.
Both earbuds have made significant improvements over older models. The Beats Solo Buds give you 18 hours total with the case, while the Liberty 4 Pro pushes to 40 hours. More importantly, both support fast charging - 5 minutes gets you an hour of playback on the Beats or 4 hours on the Liberty 4 Pro.
Having tested both models extensively, the difference in sound quality is noticeable but not dramatic. The Liberty 4 Pro produces clearer separation between instruments and voices, especially in complex music. The Beats have that signature warm, bass-forward sound that many people enjoy.
For home theater use, the Liberty 4 Pro has an advantage with its spatial audio feature and LDAC support (a way to send higher quality audio over Bluetooth). This makes movies more immersive, though both work well for casual viewing.
Both manufacturers provide multiple ear tip sizes:
The Liberty 4 Pro's extra size options make it easier to find a perfect fit, which directly impacts sound quality and noise isolation.
Here's where we see the biggest differences:
In daily use, both earbuds excel at different things. The Beats Solo Buds shine in their simplicity - they're incredibly easy to use, especially with Apple devices. The Liberty 4 Pro offers more features but requires some time to learn and customize.
Call quality is solid on both, but the Liberty 4 Pro's 6-mic system handles wind noise better. During my testing, people on the other end of calls consistently said the Liberty 4 Pro sounded clearer in noisy environments.
The $50 price difference between these models reflects their target markets:
Consider these questions:
Both these models represent significant improvements over their predecessors. The Beats Solo Buds show how good budget earbuds can be in 2024, while the Liberty 4 Pro demonstrates that premium features don't require premium prices anymore.
For most users, the decision will come down to ecosystem preference and feature requirements rather than pure audio quality. The Beats excel at being simple, reliable earbuds that just work, especially in the Apple ecosystem. The Liberty 4 Pro offers more features and customization for those willing to spend time optimizing their experience.
Remember that both models frequently go on sale, so watching for deals can make either option more attractive. Keep an eye on upcoming firmware updates too, as both manufacturers regularly add features and improvements through software updates.
| Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) | Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) |
|---|---|
| Price Point - Determines overall value and feature expectations | |
| Entry-level pricing with good basics | Mid-tier pricing with premium features |
| Sound Architecture - Impacts audio quality and detail | |
| Dual-layer drivers, basic | ACAA with dedicated tweeter, superior detail |
| Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting or office use | |
| Basic passive noise isolation | Advanced adaptive ANC with 7 sensors |
| Battery Life - Determines how often you need to charge | |
| 18 hours total with case, 5min charge = 1hr playback | 40 hours total with case, 5min charge = 4hr playback |
| Codec Support - Affects audio quality, especially for Android | |
| SBC, AAC only | SBC, AAC, LDAC (higher quality on Android) |
| Device Connectivity - Important for switching between devices | |
| Single device, seamless Apple integration | Multipoint connection, works with any two devices |
| Extra Features - Adds value but may increase complexity | |
| Basic touch controls, Find My support | Spatial audio, 22 EQ presets, touch bar on case |
| Water Resistance - Matters for workout use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX5 (better sweat protection) |
| Fit Options - Critical for comfort and sound isolation | |
| 4 tip sizes (XS-L) | 6 tip sizes (XXS-XL) |
| Call Quality - Important for work calls | |
| Single mic per bud | 6-mic system with AI noise reduction |
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) is superior for home theater use due to its spatial audio feature and LDAC support. While the Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) work fine for casual viewing, they lack the immersive audio features that enhance movie watching.
The Beats Solo Buds retail for $79.99, while the Liberty 4 Pro costs $129.99. The $50 difference reflects additional features and better audio quality in the Liberty 4 Pro.
The Liberty 4 Pro offers significantly better battery life with 40 total hours with the case, compared to 18 hours for the Beats Solo Buds. Fast charging is also more efficient on the Liberty 4 Pro.
The Liberty 4 Pro has lower latency and spatial audio support, making it better for gaming. The Beats Solo Buds have higher latency which might cause audio delay during gaming.
The Beats Solo Buds integrate better with Apple devices, offering instant pairing and Find My support. The Liberty 4 Pro works well but lacks the seamless Apple ecosystem integration.
Only the Liberty 4 Pro has true active noise cancellation with 7 sensors. The Beats Solo Buds relies on passive noise isolation through its ear tips.
The Liberty 4 Pro delivers superior sound quality with its ACAA driver system and dedicated tweeter. The Beats Solo Buds offer good but basic sound quality suitable for casual listening.
Both can connect to TVs with Bluetooth capability. The Liberty 4 Pro offers better codec support and lower latency, making it more suitable for TV viewing.
The Liberty 4 Pro has superior call quality with its 6-mic system and AI noise reduction. The Beats Solo Buds offers basic call functionality with single mics.
Both work with Android, but the Liberty 4 Pro offers better features including LDAC support. The Beats Solo Buds work fine but lose some Apple-specific features.
The Liberty 4 Pro offers more fit options with 6 ear tip sizes, while the Beats Solo Buds comes with 4 sizes. More options typically means better chance of comfortable fit.
Both are water resistant, with the Liberty 4 Pro rated IPX5 and the Beats Solo Buds rated IPX4. The Liberty 4 Pro offers slightly better protection against sweat and water.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: bestbuy.com - store.appogee.com - therunningchannel.com - cnet.com - apple.com - beatsbydre.com - expercom.com - appleinsider.com - target.com - youtube.com - middlebury-college-store.shoplightspeed.com - connection.com - bestbuy.com - soundcore.com - alwayswander.info - youtube.com - digitaltrends.com - gadgetoid.com - soundguys.com - laptopmag.com
