Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Wireless Earbuds (Open Box)

Update 2: I have recently used these with a new YMOO Bluetooth 5.3 transmitter with my portable Sansa Mp3 player without bluetooth and while I admit that only one pair of like 5 I have tried (different makes and model earbuds and headphones) have cut out with this transmitter ... these Soundcores sound GOOD with it and have had no problem, like with my android TV box. I do admit i forgot if the Soundcore app has a "hear id" EQ or the Soundcore Signature EQ but everything is "right where it's suppose to be" ... the bass, mids, and highs sound good to me and do not bleed into each other like on some other buds. I had to be fair to these, other than Soundcore being a pleasure to work with when i first had the issues I did... now i can use these buds too ... thanks to that BT Transmitter). I think it may depend on the transmitter you pair these with but when they do not have issues, they MAYBE one of my favorites, out of the ones I have. When they have issues (whatever is causing those issues) they are annoying to use ... sort of a mixed bag depending on different factors Update: Having two pair of these (one i got a refund for without having to send them back, and the other i could have sent back, but CHOOSE not to ... "used-like new" for $19 on the second pair and $29 or so new on the first) I decided to give these another go ... "eh why not"... these make me more disappointed then a cheap pair of $15 earbuds that I sent back from LASUNEY, that felt bad (and i am not picky at this price point, but those hurt) and had all sorts of issues .... THE REASON for this disappointment is that these I REALLY want to like ... and when i can get them to work "right" i like them. Build quality, Sound Quality (set at "Soundcore Signature" i think is best EQ wise) ... they have a good app and i have to say HOW GREAT Soundcore support was, but the dealbreakers still are there ... that "skipping" or "jitteryness" in the audio at times and also cutting out (NOT D/C'ing just the audio cuts out for a second or two) when no other pair i have does that. I am MORE disappointed in this pair than the other i meantioned because i had LOW expectations of those, but high expectations of these and minus a few dealbreaking things ... these would be GREAT. This right now is my only Soundcore product and like i said i LOVED how pleasent their support was... i cant say i'd avoid this brand but i would have to think about it for earbuds, in the future. For the price of $19 i have two pair basically and that is why i was "eh ... i'll just keep the second pair" ....they are NOT terrible, but this model at least has drawbacks that both pair seem to have, even with updated firmware. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have many earbuds in my “collection” that I never thought I’d have, but when I saw not just one, but two really good deals on the Soundcore Liberty Air 2’s I couldn’t pass them up. These I admit are not for me (I will get to that), however, if you do not run into the issue I have with two different pair, then these are a good buy. The build quality, fit, and noise canceling (note: there is no ANC, but the passive NC is great). I have to say the hearID is a great idea and while I tried it a few times it didn’t always make a huge difference but while I think it lacked bass once … I heard parts of the mids in songs I have never heard before… again HearID is a great idea and I’d probably try it more if it wasn’t for both pair I bought LIKELY going back. Some say how uncomfortable they are and having a number of buds, I am not going to say they feel “great” (that’d be overselling it) but do they feel as good as other comfortable buds? Yes… also the fit for me provides so much good passive NC, that I could see how people think they have ANC. These do not seem like they are made cheap and like I said the build quality and presentation is very well done, in my view What is the con? …. with local media on a few different devices I have tried, (IRONIC I have not had the issue with streaming media) there is a stuttering to the audio that happens, and it happens on both pair, HOWEVER, I can not remember what firmware the second pair was using but while it still had the issue, it wasn’t as bad … I used the app to upgrade the firmware to the latest version and then that second pair started to have the same issue. I DO HAVE TO ADMIT that Soundcore support has been trying to help and has been very nice about it. I appreciate that. Sound wise I think there is good separation, especially compared to other buds I have and even really like too…. That skipping issue or “stuttering” issue is just so distracting that it’s a deal breaker for me. I will probably keep them a little longer in case support can help me MAYBE downgrade the firmware and see if that fixes it, but … I cant say “Dont buy these!” like some over the top reviews say… I just have to say these are not for me. SO MUCH of my view is a 4 out of 5 or higher, but that issue is too annoying. Another issue I have noticed is that when these are paired (but in the case and no sound coming from them) to say my Android box …. other earbuds that I have used for months at LEAST suddenly start to have odd skipping issues …. I go into BT settings, totally unpair either pair of Liberty Air 2’s in question and then restart the box, and try say my TOZOs (not the only brand, but one example) and the BT audio DOESN’T cut out anymore … it’s like these buds are having an effect on my other BT devices (earbuds, speakers, and headphones) which is very odd, … I cant explain WHAT is going on , but I am trying to say what has happened to me. I have not had a brand earbuds throw other brand’s products out of wack like this and like I said as soon as I “take the Liberty Air 2’s out of the equation”, things seem back to normal … even if not totally perfect. This is an usual review for me, and like I said if it wasn’t for that skipping/stuttering type issue that some may have to hear to know what I am talking about… these would EASILY get a 4 out of 5 or higher from me. The fact I have two pair (one is “renewed” I admit) and both have the same issue, is telling me this is not a fluke sort of thing. I wanted to like them more, I really did and I do have to note Soundcore’s good support, but these just aren’t for me, nor am I saying “avoid these !” either.