Three sets of headphones I reach for

I’ve been an audiophile for 20 years. My time as a self-made headphone designer at Wirecutterand the number of comments I have written for sites like To be enlightened, Digital Trends, IGNand now Seasideit has given me the opportunity to listen to hundreds of listeners. Some were very good, and some were very ugly. To be honest, it tends to get a bit fuzzy when I go from new headphones to new ones. But when something worthwhile comes along, it grabs my attention. These are the three sets I reach for most often right now.

For years I have relied on Apple AirPods Pro – first and foremost Program 2 and then the Pro 3. But the new $170 Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro they have been my listening ears for the past month. I use them to listen Girl Lofi as I write this. Their sound is better when you use the Soundcore software to adjust the frequency response (out of the box the bass is too high, which makes the sound muddy and the snares hit). They fit my ears securely, and since they’re IP55, I can see myself using them sparingly – although I do like to run with my Powerbeats Fit buds (see below). And it also supports the LDAC audio codec with built-in support (sorry, iPhone users).

Noise cancellation is also excellent and comparable to more expensive headphones such as the Apple AirPods Pro 3 (which we will get to in a few paragraphs). The Soundcore pages add a bit of midrange, but use low-end drones without a problem.

But calling is the biggest strength of the Liberty 5 Pro. I’ve never heard of headphones that block out so much noise, allowing me to be clear on my phone calls and in meetings. Whether it’s the squawk from the parrot family a few meters to the left of my desk or the traffic of Los Angeles as I walk around, nothing distracts my conversation partners from what I’m saying. And many don’t even believe me when I tell them the amount of noise around me.

The Liberty 5 Pro has some great additions, including voice control, AI translation (with Soundcore software), and a case with a 0.96-inch TFT screen and wireless charging. For $60 more, a Liberty 5 Pro MaxThe case adds AI recording and texting and compression, but it costs $230 and the headphones are exactly the same as the 5 Pro. I wouldn’t bother upgrading unless you did actually they must write and record things all the time.

Battery life with ANC is limited, rated at just 6.5 hours (or 28 hours with the case), and this number drops if you’re using hi-res audio. I feel that I need to charge the case in a few days.

It’s also worth the money to switch between headphones. I always use my MacBook, my iPhone, and my iPad during the day, and the headphones can be connected to two at a time. So I always find myself needing to connect to one to let them do another job.

In that case I go back to mine Apple AirPods Pro 3. When I use Apple products, I don’t have to think about it. I just remove them from their cases and they work. When I open my iPad to watch HBO Max or the Dropout app, the AirPods automatically switch to the new device and alert me with pop-up notifications.

The AirPods sound better than the Soundcore, although not by much. And they still offer some of the best sound insulation available.

They also have many products that work within the Apple ecosystem. Live translation on supported iPhones it works well, and their case supports wireless magnets. They have Find My If (when) You Lose Them, too trying to hear. There is also a heart rate sensor that connects to the iOS Fitness app, and the blades are IP57 (Soundcore is IP55, so their water protection is not as strong). Although, even with the heart rate sensor and IP rating, I don’t like using AirPods as exercise headphones for some reason.

Although the fit has been improved on the AirPods Pro 3 compared to the Pro 2, I still have issues with it. It doesn’t bother me when I’m at my desk, but a little running or jogging and it starts to get out of my ears. The fit of Earbuds is a personal thing, as everyone’s ears are made differently, but for me, Apple has never nailed it. I don’t like the stem design either, to put it mildly. It’s pretty cool, sure, and really annoying to use when I’m running. I always chase them down and try to change the music, change the volume, or change some kind of ANC.

That’s right Beat Powerbeats Fit come on Because of the structure of their wings, I no I am concerned that they are coming out of my ears, but they are still comfortable throughout the workout. The in-ear design also prevents sunglasses, which is one reason I prefer them over over-ear mice. Beat Powerbeats Pro 2. And even though Beats is owned by Apple, the headphones aren’t locked into the Apple ecosystem. They can connect to Android phones and still provide the same functionality as the Beats app.

There is also a problem with the Fit as a fitness headset: their IPX4. I don’t sweat a lot near my ears when I work, and I live in dry Los Angeles, so the humidity and rain aren’t too much of a problem for me. I would be careful running in heavy rain, but most of the time it should be fine.

The past year has been one of high interest. They provide great environmental information because they don’t fit in your ears – but they don’t sound as good as in-ears because they don’t fit in your ears. It affects the bass response in particular, and the overall balance. I don’t think the tradeoff is worth it, and the Powerbeats Fit have a better display when I need to pay attention to my surroundings. If you don’t want to put things in your ear holes, something else Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 it’s a good way.

Most people don’t have headphones that go in and out of their lives like I do, and most people don’t need or want three separate $200-ish sets. If I had to choose one, I would choose the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro. Not only is it the cheapest of the bunch, it’s portable, sounds great, and has amazing phones. With their IP55, you can use them for exercise. All three are excellent earphones, and if you feel the need to stay within the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 3 is a good choice. But for me, Soundcore Liberty Pro 5 is the standout.