New York City, which many describe as the “greatest city in the world,” can also be quite noisy. From the clattering of subways to the constant honking of car horns, sometimes it’s essential to have a good set of headphones to drown out the chaos.
A team at the NY Post spent the summer testing headphones. Given my background as their resident headphone reviewer for over three years, I was naturally chosen to help guide this testing process, determining the criteria and evaluating each model together with my colleagues.
Our mission was to discover the best headphones that could withstand the challenges of NYC. We were looking for excellent noise cancellation, an awareness mode, and a stylish yet comfortable design—you know, something you could wear all day without discomfort. Among all the tested models, one pair clearly stood out.
The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro proved to be effective against subway noise and delivered clear phone calls, even in the bustling atmosphere of Times Square. Plus, they helped us stay alert to our surroundings while navigating the city.
These headphones have the ability to customize fit, don’t require an app, and allow flexible noise cancellation. They also support Bluetooth multipoint connection. On the downside, some users might find the “bean-like” shape less appealing.
With five adjustable noise cancellation levels—from minimal to complete isolation—the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro effectively blocks out unwanted sounds. They boast Dolby Spatial Audio, optimizing the listening experience.
Battery life: 12 hours | Water resistant: Yes | Noise cancelling: Yes, including a Transparency mode | AUX option: No | Case included: Yes | Weight: 2.4 ounces | Special features: Touchscreen case, customizable fit | Warranty: Up to two years, depending on region and retailer.
In a city like NYC, the ideal headphones should be comfortable yet durable while allowing for both immersion in music and awareness of your surroundings with the necessary noise control options. And this pair ticked all those boxes.
Setup
Setting up the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro is a breeze, thanks to clear diagrams found right on the packaging. There’s no need to refer to an instruction manual; you can start pairing the headphones by following simple steps listed on the box. All testers, whether using iPhone or Android, reported no issues when pairing with their devices.
In no time, I was immersed in my favorite tracks. While Soundcore does have an app for pairing, it’s quite user-friendly, and many users might find they barely need it due to its intuitive design features.
Design
Initially, the “bean-like” shape of the earbuds might raise some eyebrows. Frank Massaro, our Commerce Partnerships Manager, was skeptical at first but eventually found it surprisingly comfortable, stating it might become his new preference. Entertainment reporter Eric Todisco also found them comfortable, often forgetting he was wearing them.
The headphones come with standard ear-and-wing-tips, but the box includes additional sizes to ensure a proper fit. The Soundcore app even offers a fit test feature to assist with this.
Massaro noted the inclusion of extra small and extra extra small ear tips, a rarity that he appreciated compared to typical offerings.
The sleek charging case features a sliding closure, which keeps the earbuds secure, even when dropped. Our testers found that this design effectively protects the earbuds during accidental falls.
Another highlight of the case is its touchscreen. You can check battery levels, adjust noise cancellation modes, and even use the case as a remote for your phone’s camera while connected via Bluetooth.
Special Features
The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro is rich in features, with noise cancellation being the most prominent. The headphones come with four modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Adaptive, and Normal. The Active Noise Cancellation offers five levels of control, from minimal to maximum isolation.
In my experience, the headphones effectively blocked out intrusive sounds like the loud screeching brakes of subway trains. Other testers echoed this sentiment, pointing out that even under noise cancellation, some sounds were still discernible.
Massaro noted that while he could hear announcements on the subway, the actual words were often unclear. Tudisco, opting to wear one headphone, managed to stay aware of his environment while enjoying the significant sound isolation provided.
The Adaptive mode is particularly useful in a lively city like New York, adjusting the balance between noise cancellation and awareness based on your environment. It really feels like you’re receiving the best of both worlds—less noise when it’s too loud and more awareness when it’s quiet.
Another feature is the Dolby Audio option. When activated, the sound quality becomes richer. Sound was noted by testers to be crisp and layered, especially when adjusting settings. Personally, I preferred the combination of adaptive settings with fixed Dolby audio, allowing me to stay immersed while remaining aware of my surroundings.
The multipoint feature lets you connect to two devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch from video calls to your favorite music without any hassle.
Comparison To Similar Products
When we compared the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro to the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WH-1000XM6, there wasn’t a single deciding factor for the Soundcore’s win—rather, it was the overall positive experience, its more accessible price, and my consistent preference for these headphones over the others. All three pairs we considered have active noise cancellation and awareness modes, but the Soundcore also offers features that the others lack.
While the AirPods Pro have adaptive mode and Dolby support, they miss a full Bluetooth multipoint feature. The Sony WH-1000XM6 has multipoint capability but falls short on awareness options.
So, if you’re looking for a comprehensive headphone experience at a reasonable price, Soundcore delivers just that.
Price
Costing $169.99, Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro sits on the more affordable end of the spectrum compared to its competitors—the AirPods Pro 3 retails for $249.00, while the Sony model fetches $328.00.
Despite the lower price, the quality remains high-end. Soundcore frequently runs discounts during big sales events, giving you the chance to save even more.
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely! For anyone living in the city looking for reliable headphones, the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro is a solid investment. They’ve proven to be among the best options available on the market today.
Testing Methodology
We evaluated headphones across three categories—earbuds, over-ear, and open-ear—to accommodate different preferences in headphone design. Our testing group included myself, reporter Jolie Zenna, entertainment reporter Eric Todisco, and partnerships manager Frank Massaro.
The objective was consistent: determine which headphones are best suited for long days in NYC, from the subway to the streets.
Testing Criteria
- Subway Noise: How well does it block sound from screeching brakes, announcements, performers, and other passengers?
- Call Clarity: Are you audible walking near busy street construction?
- Comfort: Can you wear them without discomfort for extended periods?
- Over-ear: Consider whether things like glasses or piercings make them uncomfortable.
- Earbuds: Do they come with various ear tip sizes, and are they comfortable to wear?
- Open-ear: How secure do they feel during movement?
- Battery Life: Do they last through a full day out in NYC?
- Awareness Mode: Can you hear your surroundings to avoid accidents?
- Bag Compatibility: Do they store easily without taking up too much space?
- Style Factor: Do they look good?
- Durability: Will they withstand the rigors of daily use?
- Sound Quality: How does the audio perform with various tracks? Can you hear the intricacies clearly?
