Shopping for wireless earbuds in 2024? Let's compare two popular options - the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) and Beats Studio Buds ($169.99) - to help you make the right choice for your needs.
The wireless earbud market has evolved dramatically in recent years. What was once a luxury category dominated by Apple's AirPods has become a competitive space with excellent options at more reasonable prices. Both of our contenders sit in that sweet spot between budget and ultra-premium, offering impressive features without breaking the bank.
The Liberty 4 Pro takes a technically impressive approach with its dual-driver system. This means it uses two separate speakers in each earbud - one for high frequencies (the titanium-coated tweeter) and one for low frequencies (the 10.5mm driver). Think of it like having both a subwoofer and regular speaker in your ear. In practice, this creates clearer separation between different parts of your music.
The Beats Studio Buds uses a more traditional single-driver design but benefits from Apple's audio expertise. They've tuned these to have a more balanced sound signature, which means no single part of the music overpowers the others. This makes them versatile across different types of music.
Both earbuds offer active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to detect external noise and create inverse sound waves to cancel it out. However, their approaches differ significantly:
The Liberty 4 Pro employs an advanced 7-sensor system that continuously adapts to your environment. Having tested these in various settings, I've found they handle changing environments (like walking from a quiet office to a busy street) particularly well.
The Beats take a simpler but effective approach. While they don't adjust as dynamically, they do an excellent job with consistent noise like airplane engines or office humming. They're particularly good at handling voice frequencies, making them great for open offices.
This is where we see a significant difference. The Liberty 4 Pro offers exceptional battery life:
The Beats Studio Buds provide:
Here's where your choice might become clearer based on your other devices. The Beats integrate seamlessly with Apple products, offering instant pairing and easy switching between Apple devices. However, they've also made efforts to improve Android compatibility.
The Liberty 4 Pro takes a more platform-agnostic approach. They support simultaneous connection to two devices regardless of operating system, which I've found incredibly useful when switching between my laptop and phone during workdays.
The Liberty 4 Pro supports LDAC, a high-quality audio codec that can transmit about three times more data than standard Bluetooth audio. This matters if you use high-resolution music services like Tidal or Amazon Music HD, especially on Android devices. The Beats stick to standard AAC and SBC codecs, which are still good but not quite as capable.
Both have made improvements in call quality, but their approaches differ:
In testing, both handle indoor calls well, but the Liberty 4 Pro has a slight edge in windy conditions.
For home theater use, the Liberty 4 Pro has an advantage with its LDAC support and lower latency. This means better audio quality and less delay between what you see and hear. However, if you're using an Apple TV, the Beats will pair more seamlessly and maintain a stable connection.
At $129.99, the Liberty 4 Pro offers more features per dollar, including:
The Beats Studio Buds at $169.99 justify their higher price through:
Consider these questions to make your choice:
Choose the Liberty 4 Pro if:
Choose the Beats Studio Buds if:
Both earbuds represent excellent value in the premium wireless segment. The Liberty 4 Pro offers more features and better specs at a lower price point, making it the value champion. The Beats Studio Buds provide a more refined, streamlined experience that may be worth the extra cost for Apple users or those who prefer simplicity over customization.
Remember, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. Consider your primary use cases and ecosystem when making your decision.
| Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) | Beats Studio Buds ($169.99) |
|---|---|
| Audio Codecs - Determines maximum sound quality potential, especially important for high-res music services | |
| LDAC, AAC, SBC (superior for Android) | AAC, SBC (standard quality) |
| Battery Life - Critical for all-day use without recharging | |
| 10hrs (40hrs with case) | 8hrs (24hrs with case) |
| Fast Charging - Important for last-minute power needs | |
| 4hrs playback from 5min charge | 1hr playback from 5min charge |
| Noise Cancellation - Affects how well they block outside noise | |
| 7-sensor adaptive system with real-time adjustment | Standard ANC, good for constant noise |
| Driver Configuration - Impacts sound clarity and separation | |
| Dual drivers (10.5mm + tweeter) | Single dynamic driver |
| Multi-device Support - Key for switching between phone/laptop | |
| Yes, simultaneous 2-device connection | No, but quick switching for Apple devices |
| Ecosystem Integration - Affects ease of use with your devices | |
| Better Android integration, standard iOS | Seamless Apple integration |
| Water Resistance - Important for workout use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX4 (splash resistant) |
| Call Quality - Critical for work calls | |
| 6 mics with AI noise reduction | Beam-forming mics, voice targeting |
| Case Size - Affects pocket-ability | |
| Slightly larger due to display | More compact, pocket-friendly |
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro has an edge for home theater use due to its dual-driver system and LDAC support, providing better audio synchronization and detail. The Beats Studio Buds still offers good movie audio but with slightly less dynamic range.
The Liberty 4 Pro has lower latency, especially when using LDAC codec, making it better for TV and movie watching. The Beats Studio Buds perform adequately but may have slightly more noticeable delay.
Both can connect to TVs with Bluetooth capability. The Liberty 4 Pro offers more stable connectivity with its advanced Bluetooth 5.4, while the Beats Studio Buds works particularly well with Apple TV.
The Liberty 4 Pro offers 10 hours per charge (40 with case), while the Beats provide 8 hours (24 with case). For long movie sessions, the Liberty 4 Pro has a clear advantage.
The Liberty 4 Pro's 7-sensor system provides more effective noise cancellation, especially useful in home environments. The Beats offer good but simpler noise cancellation.
Both excel at music and movies, but the Liberty 4 Pro offers more versatility with its dual drivers and codec support. The Beats Studio Buds provide a more balanced, straightforward experience.
The Liberty 4 Pro is significantly better for Android users, offering LDAC support and better integration. The Beats work with Android but are optimized for Apple devices.
The Beats Studio Buds integrate better with Apple devices, offering instant pairing and seamless switching. The Liberty 4 Pro works well with iPhones but doesn't have the same ecosystem advantages.
Both work for gaming, but the Liberty 4 Pro's lower latency makes it a better choice. The Beats have slightly higher latency which might be noticeable in fast-paced games.
The Liberty 4 Pro features six microphones with AI noise reduction, generally outperforming the Beats Studio Buds in call quality, especially in noisy environments.
Both offer multiple tip sizes for comfort. The Liberty 4 Pro is slightly heavier but includes more fit options, while the Beats are lighter and more minimal in design.
At $129.99, the Liberty 4 Pro offers more features and better specs than the $169.99 Beats Studio Buds, making it the better value for most users, especially for home theater use.
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 - soundcore.com - alwayswander.info - youtube.com - digitaltrends.com - gadgetoid.com - soundguys.com - laptopmag.com - rtings.com - beatsbydre.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - abt.com - odpbusiness.com - marketplace.uvation.com - target.com - panthertech.fiu.edu - support.apple.com - youtube.com - beatsbydre.com
