While true wireless earbuds have come a long way in recent years, there has yet to be a pair that delivers on the promise of audiophile sound quality at a reasonable price.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pros are aimed at the user who wants high-quality audio playback without having to purchase a pair of studio-quality headphones. The sound quality needs to be balanced with design and practicality to deliver a high fidelity listening experience while allowing you to go for a run, lift some weights or ride the subway to work.
Top this recipe off with long battery life and short charge time, and you end up with what Anker promises with the Liberty 2 Pros. So, let’s take an in-depth look at them in my Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro True Wireless Earbuds Review and find out if they are the perfect choice for you.
Unboxing
(4.4 / 5)With the unboxing, the Liberty 2 Pros definitely seem to be the real deal. Quality packaging and a sleek feel to the sliding case give the impression of a high-end product.
Design and Build Quality
Starting with the fit, the Liberty 2 Pros come with a good selection of wings and tips to suit any ear and sit very comfortably. Despite the lack of touch control on the earbuds, the buttons can be operated without causing any discomfort. The sleek design of the charging cradle is continued on the buds themselves, with led charge and pair indicators.
The minimalist aesthetic, it seems, was lost when it came to the size of the Liberty 2 Pros, though. While they fit well and sit securely while doing a jogging test, the sheer size makes them feel a bit awkward. They protrude quite far from the ear when wearing and can have a “bouncy” feel.
The charging cradle feels solid and allows for beautiful presentation while also being comfortable to carry in a pocket. The solid feel goes for the earbuds themselves as well, and wireless charging adds to the elegant look of the case when not in use or charging.
Functionality, Battery Life, and Charging
With regards to functionality, theLiberty 2 Pros come equipped with the newest iteration of Bluetooth (5.0), which provides a solid signal at a maximum distance of nine meters or 30 feet (even through walls). Youtube and Netflix produce virtually no audio lag, and the button system is easy to understand and use; in fact, they are some of the easiest to use earbuds you can buy.
With regards to the battery life and charging times, the Pro 2’s are definitely among the high-end competitors among true wireless earbuds. When fully charged, the buds will provide eight hours of playback with the volume set to a range of values but never dropping below 60%. The cradle itself can be charged using a USB C-Type cable or wirelessly, and, when fully charged, holds an additional 24 hours.
This extends the total listening time to an impressive 32 hours, which makes them one of the best battery life true wireless earbuds currently on the market.
Some testing determined that putting the earbuds on the cradle for 10 to 15 minutes will provide around two hours of playtime. Fast also means the cradle to be fully charged in no more than 20 minutes. Simple LEDs on the front of the cradle indicate battery life and charging. A discreet button on the back of the cradle will indicate the battery level at a single press, and a long press will put the device into pairing mode.
Sound Quality
Starting with the microphone, Anker boasts a high-quality experience with a four microphone design. However, while promising clarity and volume, the Liberty 2 Pros deliver neither with a somewhat scratchy sound that isn’t very clear nor loud at the best of times.
At worst, for example, while walking down the street, it can be inaudible. While the noise cancelation is quite good at getting rid of background noise, and therefore isolating the speaker’s voice, it doesn’t make up for the fact that the isolated voice sounds like it’s coming through a walkie-talkie.
But thankfully…
The Liberty 2 Pros do offer a bit of redemption when it comes to the actual sound quality. Starting off with the technicals, the Liberty 2 Pros use a Qualcomm aptX codec which puts them on par with most of the best earbuds you can buy in terms of sound quality.
With regards to the frequencies themselves, lows are particularly enjoyable, and even at sub-base frequencies, I would rate the Pro 2’s at the top of their class. With the EQ set to the default position, the mids and highs are not terrible but could definitely do with some air. Luckily the Liberty 2 Pros come with a pretty well thought out App which allows for a wide selection of EQ presets across many genres and styles.
Design a profile…
There is also the HearID function which allows the user to calibrate and design a tailored sound profile for their ears only. Sadly this feature doesn’t deliver, and the user is better off selecting one of the 22 presets that come with the App; they sound great, and there’s a wide enough selection to suit almost any taste.
The ideal would be for the user to have full control of the EQ and have the ability to save their own profiles. The 21st-century user is more about customization than simple variation, and at this price range, it doesn’t seem an unreasonable ask.
What’s that hiss?
The final aspect of the sound quality is admittedly not a case of “saving the best for last” when it comes to Anker’s Liberty 2 Pros because a very audible hissing can be heard at low levels.
This low-level hissing is especially prominent on quieter tracks and, once heard, is very hard to ignore. The problem has been noted by quite a number of users online. And although Anker claims the problem was restricted to less than 1% of a particular batch of Liberty 2 Pros, it’s still a big negative in the area that is arguably most important for the product type, Sound quality.
Hopefully, yours won’t have this issue, but if you find that they do, return them to the manufacturer for a replacement.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro True Wireless Earbuds Review – Pros and Cons
Pros
- Superb functionality and comfort.
- Wireless charging fast, charging times.
- Excellent Bluetooth range.
- Impressive battery life.
Cons
- Sound Quality overall could be better
- No custom EQ profiles.
- Hissing at any level is simply a big no-no.
- The four microphones need serious improvement.
Looking for Some Superb Earbud Options?
Then check out our informative reviews of the Best True Wireless Earbuds, the Best Apple Airpods Pro Alternatives, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, the Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds, the Best iPhone Earbuds, the Best Bass Earbuds, and the Best Noise Isolating Earbuds you can buy in 2023.
Or take a look at the Most Comfortable Earbuds, the Best Earbuds for Running, the Most Durable Earbuds, the Best Wireless Earbuds For Small Ears, the Best Cheap Earbuds Under $100, or the Best Wired Earbuds currently on the market.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro True Wireless Earbuds Review – Conclusion
In terms of the question of whether you should buy these earbuds or not, the answer is sadly a resounding no. While there are definitely true wireless earbuds out there that will deliver above-average sound quality, and the Anker Souncore Liberty 2 Pros are most assuredly among those, they do not deliver audiophile quality.
While the sleek design and good build quality make them pleasant to have and use, it is somewhat spoiled by the large size and “bouncy” feel when exercising or even just strolling along. Therefore, in my opinion, they are best avoided. All in all, it’s a 4 out of 10.
Happy listening!