Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Black – True Wireless ANC Earbuds with LDAC and 50-Hour Battery
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Black — officially listed as Velvet Black — is the foundational colourway of the Liberty 4 NC range and the variant most commonly reviewed and stocked across major retail channels. Designed for commuters, students, and everyday listeners who want adaptive noise cancellation, hi-res wireless audio, and long battery life at a mid-range price, the Liberty 4 NC Black delivers a well-rounded feature set that includes Adaptive ANC 2.0, LDAC support, Qi wireless case charging, and a 6-mic AI call system. The dark finish resists visible surface marks and scuffs better than lighter colourways, making it the lower-maintenance choice for heavy daily use.
⚠️ LDAC is Android-only. LDAC Hi-Res wireless audio requires Android 8.0 or later. On iOS devices, the earbuds default to SBC or AAC — LDAC cannot be enabled on iPhone or iPad regardless of app settings.
⚠️ LDAC and multipoint cannot run simultaneously. Enabling LDAC in the Soundcore app disconnects the second paired device. To use dual-device connection, LDAC must remain off.
⚠️ No wall charger included. The box contains the earbuds, charging case, a USB-C cable, and ear tips in four sizes. A USB power adaptor is not supplied.
Technical Specifications
Drivers and Audio
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Driver size | 11mm custom-tuned |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz – 40,000 Hz |
| Wireless codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC (Android 8.0+ only) |
| Hi-Res certification | Yes — LDAC Hi-Res Wireless |
| Spatial audio | Yes — via Soundcore app |
| EQ | 22 presets + 8-band manual EQ |
| HearID 2.0 | Yes — personalised hearing profile |
Noise Cancellation
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| ANC type | Adaptive ANC 2.0 |
| ANC depth | Up to 98.5% noise reduction |
| ANC levels | 5 selectable |
| Transport modes | Plane, train, bus, taxi |
| Transparency modes | 2 (adjustable ambient level) |
| Wind noise reduction | Yes |
Battery and Charging
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Playtime — Normal mode | 10 hours per earbud; 50 hours total with case |
| Playtime — ANC on | 8 hours per earbud; 40 hours total with case |
| Playtime — LDAC + ANC | 5 hours per earbud; 25 hours total with case |
| Playtime — LDAC, ANC off | 6 hours per earbud; 30 hours total with case |
| Call time — ANC off | 4.5 hours |
| Call time — ANC on | 4 hours |
| Fast charge | 10 minutes → 4 hours playback |
| Case charging — wired | USB-C |
| Case charging — wireless | Yes — Qi compatible |
| Wall charger included | No |
Connectivity
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes — 2 devices simultaneously (incompatible with LDAC) |
| Google Fast Pair | Yes — Android |
| Wear detection | Yes — auto-pause / auto-resume |
| Gaming mode | Yes — low-latency mode via app |
Build and Physical
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model number | A3947Z11 |
| Official colour name | Velvet Black |
| Earbud weight | 5.7g (0.2 oz) per earbud |
| Case weight | 43g (1.53 oz) |
| Water resistance | IPX4 (earbuds) |
| Ear tip sizes | XS, S, M, L |
Microphones and Calls
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microphone count | 6 beamforming mics with AI noise reduction |
| Wind noise reduction | Yes |
In Box
| Item |
|---|
| Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds (Velvet Black) |
| Charging case (Qi wireless + USB-C) |
| USB-C charging cable |
| Ear tips: XS, S, M, L |
Use Cases
Commuting and Public Transport
The transport-specific ANC presets distinguish the Liberty 4 NC from earbuds that apply a single universal suppression curve. Selecting the train or bus preset adjusts the cancellation profile to the dominant frequencies in each environment — low-frequency engine and road noise on buses, higher-frequency rail squeal on trains — delivering more targeted suppression than a generic ANC setting achieves. Since Adaptive ANC 2.0 also responds to changes in ear seal as you move, the performance remains consistent whether you are seated or standing.
Long Workdays and Study Sessions
The 10-hour single-charge runtime covers a full workday or study session without interruption. When the earbuds do need topping up, 10 minutes of charge provides another four hours — a fast enough turnaround to fit within a lunch break. Moreover, the five-level ANC control lets you reduce suppression intensity during tasks that require partial environmental awareness, such as working in a café where you still want to hear your name called. Switching to Transparency mode handles brief conversations without removing the earbuds.
Calls in Variable Environments
Six beamforming microphones and AI noise reduction make the Liberty 4 NC Black a reliable call option across a wider range of conditions than typical two-mic setups. Calls in offices, cafés, and enclosed outdoor spaces are handled clearly. The wind reduction mode adds a further layer of protection in outdoor settings where airflow would otherwise degrade voice intelligibility. Wear detection pauses music automatically on earbud removal, so answering a call never requires pressing a button first.
Android Hi-Res Listening
LDAC on the Liberty 4 NC Black requires only an Android 8.0 or later device and the Soundcore app — no specialist cables or additional hardware. Once enabled, the extended 40,000 Hz frequency response and higher data throughput become audible on detailed recordings: string decay, room ambience, and vocal sibilance all resolve more clearly at higher bitrates. Given the 10-minute fast charge available when the earbuds run low, LDAC sessions on longer journeys remain practical even though the runtime drops from 10 hours to 6 hours with LDAC on and ANC off.
Considerations Before Buying
LDAC and multipoint cannot run at the same time: Choosing between hi-res single-device audio and dual-device connection depends on your primary use pattern. Frequent switchers between a laptop and phone will find LDAC impractical in daily use; listeners who stream music from a single Android source will benefit most from enabling it.
ANC does not match flagship-tier systems: Adaptive ANC 2.0 delivers solid performance against consistent, low-frequency noise such as transport rumble, ventilation systems, and mechanical hum. Variable sounds — particularly speech, sudden impacts, and high-frequency noise — break through more noticeably than on higher-tier systems such as the Liberty 4 Pro or competing flagship earbuds. The Liberty 4 NC remains strong value for ANC at this price point, but buyers expecting complete isolation should adjust expectations accordingly.
Only four ear tip sizes: XS, S, M, and L ear tips are included. The Liberty 4 NC does not ship with XXS or XL sizes, which are available on the Liberty 4 Pro. Since the ANC seal quality depends directly on ear tip fit, listeners at the extremes of the size range may find the fit — and therefore the ANC performance — suboptimal.
IPX4 water resistance covers sweat and rain, not submersion: The earbuds handle exercise sweat and light rain reliably. However, they should not be worn swimming or submerged in water in any context.
Case is larger than some competitors: The Liberty 4 NC case has a notably square, compact-but-chunky profile that fits in a trouser pocket but partially protrudes. It is more pocket-friendly than some over-ear headphone cases but bulkier than slimmer round-capsule cases such as those found on the Liberty 4 Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official colour name for the Liberty 4 NC Black?
Soundcore officially names this colourway Velvet Black. The model number A3947Z11 confirms this specific variant. Some retailers list it simply as Black — both refer to the same product.
Is the Liberty 4 NC Black hardware-identical to other Liberty 4 NC colours?
Yes. The Velvet Black (A3947Z11) shares identical 11mm drivers, battery cells, ANC circuitry, codecs, microphones, and dimensions with the Clear White, Navy Blue, Pastel Pink, and Light Blue variants. The colour finish is the sole distinguishing factor across the range.
Does the charging case support wireless charging?
Yes. The Liberty 4 NC case supports Qi wireless charging — place it at the centre of a compatible Qi pad for wireless top-up. USB-C wired charging is also available. Neither a wall charger nor a Qi pad is included in the box.
How do I use the Liberty 4 NC with two devices simultaneously?
Open the Soundcore app, navigate to the device settings, and select Dual Connections, then Connect New Device. Alternatively, with the earbuds already connected to one device, press and hold both earbud touchpads simultaneously for three seconds to enter pairing mode for the second device. Note that dual connections are incompatible with LDAC — enabling one disables the other.
Does wear detection work with both earbuds or only one?
Wear detection works with each earbud independently. Removing either earbud pauses audio; reinserting it resumes playback. Wearing a single earbud activates single-earbud mode on that side, and the auto-pause behaviour continues to function for that earbud alone.
Is the Liberty 4 NC suitable for exercise?
The IPX4 rating handles sweat and light rain, making the Liberty 4 NC adequate for gym sessions, running in mild conditions, and general active use. However, the fit relies on the ear tip seal rather than ear fins or wing tips, so vigorous movement may loosen the earbuds for some listeners. They are not specifically engineered as sport earbuds in the way dedicated exercise earbuds are.
Related Products
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (Clear White) – Hardware-identical Liberty 4 NC in a Clear White colourway
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (Navy Blue) – Hardware-identical Liberty 4 NC in a Navy Blue colourway
- Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro (Glossy Black) – Upgraded dual-driver ANC earbuds with 7-sensor ANC, Smart Display case, and IPX5
- Soundcore Liberty 5 (Blue) – Next-generation Liberty earbuds with Dolby Audio, ANC 3.0, and 48-hour total battery
Internal Link (exact match anchor): Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Black
External Link (exact match anchor): Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Black


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