Anker, a brand synonymous with dependable smartphone power accessories, has successfully expanded its reach into the audio realm with its Soundcore sub-brand. While facing stiff competition from numerous brands in India’s affordable audio market, Soundcore has carved a niche for itself with its mid-range, feature-rich offerings. The company has now unveiled its most advanced pair of true wireless earphones yet, the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro. Priced at Rs. 9,999, the Liberty Air 2 Pro is currently the flagship true wireless headset in Soundcore’s lineup, boasting customizable active noise cancellation and a promise of exceptional sound quality. In a crowded market, does the Liberty Air 2 Pro stand out against the already popular **Oppo Enco X**? This review delves into the details to help you make an informed decision.
A Premium Design with Customizable Fit
Soundcore, despite being a relatively new entrant in the personal audio market, has quickly established itself by focusing on sound quality over premium features. That approach shifts slightly with the Liberty Air 2 Pro, making it the company’s first true wireless headset to embrace active noise cancellation. However, beyond ANC, this headset boasts a compelling design, a highly customizable fit, and wireless charging, making it a well-rounded package.
Available in four vibrant colors in India, the Liberty Air 2 Pro looks and feels remarkably premium. The silver strip on the outer side of the white review unit, incorporating the touch-sensitive control area and Soundcore logos, adds an attractive touch. Each earpiece is equipped with three microphones that collaborate to enable active noise cancellation and reliable voice communication.
The earpieces feature a secure in-canal design, and the generous inclusion of nine pairs of silicone ear tips of varying sizes allows for a truly customized fit. While the medium-sized tips were perfect for me, the wide selection ensures a comfortable and secure seal for most users. The package also includes a USB Type-C cable for charging and, of course, the indispensable charging case.
The charging case of the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro, though not compact, isn’t overly large either. Its textured and pebble-like finish, combined with the polished Soundcore logo on top, creates a unique and visually appealing aesthetic. Charging is accomplished through a USB Type-C port at the rear, but the case also supports convenient wireless charging using a Qi wireless charger. Three indicator lights on the front of the case clearly display battery and charging status, and the lid opens and closes with a smooth horizontal motion.
Intuitive Touch Controls and a Feature-Rich App
The controls on the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro are touch-based and can be seamlessly customized via the dedicated app for iOS and Android, adding a layer of personalization not found in many competitors. You have the ability to tailor the functions of single, double, and tap-and-hold gestures for playback, volume, ANC and transparency modes, and even triggering your preferred voice assistant on your smartphone. This level of customization enables you to configure the controls precisely to your liking. Throughout my usage, I found the sensors to be responsive and accurate, with minimal instances of misinterpretations or sluggish responses.
But the Soundcore app offers much more than simple customization settings and firmware updates. It also includes music recommendations powered by Lum, community conversation zones, and free access to Lum playlists directly through the app, adding value beyond just the headset itself. Once the Liberty Air 2 Pro is set up within the app, you can effortlessly switch between ANC modes, conduct a tip fit test, personalize controls, and even create a customized equalizer profile.
One particularly interesting aspect of the app is its ability to create a widget on your iOS home screen for quick switching between ANC modes, mimicking the convenient noise control toggle found on Apple’s AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
Effective Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Modes
The Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro provides customizable active noise cancellation, offering three pre-tuned modes: Transport, Indoor, and Outdoor. Additionally, you can adjust the level of ANC to your preference using the Custom mode. Even the Transparency mode allows you to choose between Full Transparency and Vocal, which boosts voice pickup for improved awareness of your surroundings.
In practice, I found these modes to be effective in their specific scenarios. The ability to fine-tune the ANC experience on true wireless earphones in this price range is impressive and makes the Liberty Air 2 Pro stand out from its competitors.
Soundcore’s Familiar Bass-Heavy Signature
Anker’s Soundcore brand has consistently been known for delivering good sound quality. My previous experience with the Soundcore Liberty Lite was positive, and with the Liberty Air 2 Pro, Soundcore has continued to prioritize audio quality without sacrificing features. This headset offers a sound quality that surpasses expectations for its Rs. 10,000 price point.
I primarily used the Liberty Air 2 Pro with an iPhone 12 mini, but also tested it with an Android smartphone and a Mac laptop. Since the headset utilizes the AAC Bluetooth codec on all three devices, I observed no noticeable difference in sound quality across sources. The sonic signature is clearly tuned with popular genres in mind, but the Liberty Air 2 Pro still provides a good level of detail and insight into tracks, while maintaining a focus on the lows.
With the soulful track “Truth” by Kamasi Washington, I was particularly impressed by the deep bass in the orchestral lows. The double-bass and percussion resonated with incredible beauty and engagement. As this 13-minute piece unfolded, I appreciated the detailed soundstage and harmony of the instruments, especially considering the powerful bass remained a constant presence.
While the Liberty Air 2 Pro delivered enjoyable audio for “Truth,” its true strengths shine through with popular electronic tracks, often featuring robust, refined bass. “Closer” by Lemaitre, for example, boasts crisp, clear vocals but the bass drop in this dubstep track truly pushes the earphones to their limit. Notably, the bass is powerful and impactful without encroaching on the rest of the frequency range. Vocals, delicate instruments, and overall detail are well preserved even in the face of the aggressive bass drive.
This bass-heavy signature, while suited for many popular genres, might feel somewhat lacking for those who appreciate a more nuanced and detailed sound compared to the excellent Oppo Enco X, which boasts a dual-driver setup and exceptional audio fidelity. The Liberty Air 2 Pro lacks the same meticulous detail and doesn’t reach the same volume levels as the Enco X. I found myself increasing the volume to 90 percent on the Liberty Air 2 Pro to achieve the same listening experience I typically enjoy at around 70 percent on other true wireless headsets.
However, the Liberty Air 2 Pro compensates with its refined bass and attack, making many tracks on my playlist significantly more enjoyable than competing headsets in this price range. The vibrant energy and tight bass of “Glitter (Netsky Remix)” by Keys and Krates were truly captivating, especially with the volume up and ANC activated, adding an extra layer of immersion.
Impressive Active Noise Cancellation
The active noise cancellation on the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro is remarkably good for its price point. Noise reduction was substantial in both indoor and urban outdoor settings. This resulted in more focused music listening and calls, and even provided a sense of tranquility when no audio was playing. I found the ANC performance to be comparable to that of more expensive true wireless options like the Jabra Elite 85t and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. Having multiple ANC modes to choose from adds a level of flexibility and customizability, allowing you to fine-tune the ANC for different environments. The modes worked well for my needs and were easily toggled through the Soundcore app.
Reliable Call Quality and Connection Stability
Call quality and connection stability on the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro are commendable. I was able to make calls both indoors and outdoors without any issues whatsoever. There were no connection problems or instances of lag or drops during my time with the earphones. The active noise cancellation undoubtedly contributed to clear and audible voices on the other end of calls.
Verdict: A Strong Contender in the Mid-Range
Many true wireless earphones in the mid-range segment struggle to find the right balance in their tuning, often falling short of delivering a sound signature that appeals to a broad audience. Soundcore, with the Liberty Air 2 Pro, has successfully targeted users seeking an upgrade beyond the budget segment while still catering to the popular bass-heavy sound preferences widely shared in India and across the globe. The Liberty Air 2 Pro embodies this approach, offering a safe choice for true wireless earphones that looks good and sounds good. Its feature set, particularly the remarkable ANC performance, more than justifies its Rs. 9,999 price point.
However, sound is inherently subjective. While bass lovers and fans of electronic music will appreciate the Liberty Air 2 Pro’s sound, the Oppo Enco X provides arguably more detail, refinement, and overall volume and immersion. That being said, the Liberty Air 2 Pro is a strong contender under Rs. 10,000, especially for those who prioritize effective active noise cancellation.
