When Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169.99) and Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) launched in 2023, they represented significant upgrades to their respective product lines. Both aim to deliver premium audio experiences, but they take notably different approaches. Let's explore what makes each special and help you decide which better suits your needs.
Wireless earbuds have evolved tremendously since Apple's original AirPods changed the game in 2016. Today's models pack impressive technology into incredibly small packages, with features that seemed impossible just a few years ago. The key improvements we've seen focus on sound quality, noise cancellation, and battery life - three areas where both of our contenders excel, albeit differently.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus delivers what I'd call a more "audiophile-friendly" sound signature. Its custom two-layer transducer (basically a specialized speaker that reproduces both high and low frequencies clearly) produces detailed audio that works well across different music genres. The bass is punchy but controlled - you'll feel the thump in hip-hop tracks without it overwhelming softer elements in classical pieces.
In contrast, the Liberty 4 Pro takes a more customizable approach. It uses a hybrid driver system combining a 10.5mm dynamic driver (for powerful bass) with a balanced armature driver (for crisp highs). This setup, paired with LDAC support (a high-quality wireless audio format that transmits roughly three times more data than standard Bluetooth), can deliver superior audio quality - but only when used with Android devices that support LDAC.
For home theater use, both earbuds support spatial audio, which simulates surround sound. The Liberty 4 Pro offers more customization here, with specific modes for movies, music, and gaming. I've found the movie mode particularly effective when watching action films, creating a surprisingly immersive experience for such small devices.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology has improved significantly in recent years. Both earbuds implement it differently:
The Beats uses an adaptive system that continuously monitors and adjusts to your environment. It's particularly effective at blocking consistent background noise like airplane engines or office humming. The transparency mode (which lets you hear your surroundings) sounds more natural than previous Beats models.
The Liberty 4 Pro employs what Soundcore calls "matchless noise cancellation" with seven sensors detecting noise from every angle. It adjusts every 0.3 seconds to changing environments. In practice, I've found it slightly more effective in variable environments like busy streets, though the Beats handles consistent noise better.
Here's where we see some significant differences:
Beats Studio Buds Plus:
Liberty 4 Pro:
The Liberty 4 Pro clearly wins the battery battle, offering substantially more listening time and better charging options.
Both earbuds have evolved to offer better cross-platform compatibility, but they still have their strengths:
The Beats excels in the Apple ecosystem with instant pairing, Find My support, and hands-free Siri. However, it also works well with Android devices, offering quick pairing and app support.
The Liberty 4 Pro focuses on flexibility, offering:
Both manufacturers have improved their designs since earlier models. The Beats are notably smaller and lighter, making them more comfortable for extended wear. The Liberty 4 Pro includes more ear tip sizes (XXS to XL) to ensure a perfect fit for more users.
At $169.99, the Beats Studio Buds Plus positions itself in the premium segment, competing with options like the AirPods Pro. Its price reflects its refined sound quality and seamless Apple integration.
The Liberty 4 Pro at $129.99 offers exceptional value, providing more features than you might expect at this price point. The addition of wireless charging and LDAC support makes it particularly attractive for Android users.
Consider your primary use case:
Choose Beats Studio Buds Plus if:
Choose Liberty 4 Pro if:
Both earbuds represent significant improvements over their predecessors. The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers a more refined, focused experience with excellent sound quality and seamless Apple integration. The Liberty 4 Pro provides more features and better battery life at a lower price point, making it an excellent value proposition, especially for Android users.
For home theater use, both perform admirably, but the Liberty 4 Pro's dedicated movie mode and longer battery life might give it a slight edge for binge-watching sessions. However, if you're primarily using an Apple TV or other Apple devices, the Beats' seamless integration could make your experience more enjoyable.
| Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169.99) | Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) |
|---|---|
| Price-Performance Ratio - How much value you get for your money | |
| Premium price, refined experience | Better value, more features |
| Battery Life - Critical for all-day listening | |
| 6 hours (buds), 24 hours (with case) | 10 hours (buds), 40 hours (with case) |
| Sound Quality - The core reason to choose premium earbuds | |
| Balanced, natural sound signature with excellent clarity | Rich, bass-forward sound with LDAC support (Android only) |
| Noise Cancellation - Essential for commuting and office use | |
| Better for consistent noise, natural transparency mode | Adaptive ANC, better for varying environments |
| Ecosystem Integration - Affects daily usability | |
| Seamless Apple integration, basic Android support | Platform-agnostic, better Android features |
| Extra Features - Can justify price difference | |
| Find My support, compact case | Wireless charging, multipoint connection, extensive EQ |
| Size and Comfort - Critical for extended wear | |
| Smaller, lighter (5g per bud) | Larger but more fit options (XXS-XL tips) |
| Call Quality - Important for work use | |
| Superior mic clarity, better wind noise reduction | Good but not exceptional call quality |
| Water Resistance - Matters for exercise use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX5 (better water resistance) |
| Codec Support - Affects audio quality potential | |
| SBC, AAC only | SBC, AAC, LDAC (better for Android) |
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) has a dedicated movie mode and longer battery life, making it better for extended viewing sessions. However, if you use an Apple TV, the Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169.99) offers more seamless integration.
The Liberty 4 Pro lasts 10 hours with ANC on and up to 40 hours with the case. The Beats Studio Buds Plus provides 6 hours with ANC and 24 hours total with the case.
Both offer effective ANC, but they excel in different situations. The Beats Studio Buds Plus handles consistent noise better, while the Liberty 4 Pro adapts better to changing environments.
Yes, both support Bluetooth connection to smart TVs and streaming devices. The Liberty 4 Pro offers dedicated spatial audio modes for movies, while the Beats works especially well with Apple TV.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers better integration with iOS, including instant pairing and Find My support. The Liberty 4 Pro works with iPhone but doesn't offer the same seamless experience.
The Liberty 4 Pro supports wireless charging, while the Beats Studio Buds Plus only charges via USB-C.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers more balanced, natural sound, while the Liberty 4 Pro provides deeper bass and LDAC support for high-resolution audio on Android devices.
Both work well for calls, but the Beats Studio Buds Plus has superior microphone quality and better wind noise reduction compared to the Liberty 4 Pro.
The Liberty 4 Pro includes a dedicated gaming mode for reduced latency, making it the better choice for gaming. The Beats doesn't offer specific gaming features.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus are lighter and more compact, but the Liberty 4 Pro offers more ear tip sizes for a customized fit.
The Liberty 4 Pro supports multipoint connection for seamless switching between devices. The Beats Studio Buds Plus requires manual reconnection when switching devices.
The Liberty 4 Pro offers more features at a lower price point ($129.99), while the Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169.99) justifies its higher price with better sound quality and Apple integration.
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: techradar.com - soundguys.com - t3.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - cdw.com - beatsbydre.com - target.com - beatsbydre.com - marketplace.uvation.com - abt.com - beatsbydre.com - beatsbydre.com - bestbuy.com - soundcore.com - alwayswander.info - youtube.com - digitaltrends.com - gadgetoid.com - soundguys.com - laptopmag.com
