After two decades of testing hundreds of earbuds, a Verge reviewer has narrowed down their daily picks to three models. The $170 Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro has been the go-to choice for the past month, praised for its call quality and active noise cancellation.
Reviewers note that the earbuds' default sound profile requires adjustment via the companion app for optimal performance. The other two frequently used sets include offerings from Sony and Sennheiser, though specific models were not detailed in the source.
Despite its strengths, the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro's reliance on app-based tuning may frustrate users seeking plug-and-play excellence. The trade-off for excellent call quality comes with a need to tweak the frequency response.
For now, the Soundcore model represents a strong value proposition at its price point, though it hasn't entirely displaced legacy favorites like the Apple AirPods Pro for all users. The reviewer still owns previous-generation AirPods Pro but has shifted focus to the newer option.
One caveat: the review reflects personal preference rather than a rigorous comparative test. Individual listening habits and ear anatomy may produce different results.