The Denon PerL Pro are high-end ANC earbuds designed for audiophiles. These distinctive circular buds come equipped with Masimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology, which creates personalized EQs based on an in-app ear shape test. They support the aptX Lossless codec for streaming high-resolution audio. Otherwise, they come with extra features you might expect from premium Bluetooth buds, like multi-device pairing, virtual surround sound, and a variety of customization options in their app.
Our Verdict
The Denon PerL Pro are alright for neutral sound. Out of the box, they have a well-balanced sound profile suitable for a variety of genres, although voices and instruments sound veiled. However, you can use the app to create a personalized EQ with the Masimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology feature. Subjectively, this results in a more excited sound profile, and if you boost the bass with 'Immersion Mode', they can create a more thumpy sound suitable for genres like EDM. You can also manually adjust the sound with a graphic EQ. They're also designed for music lovers and support various codecs for streaming higher-resolution audio, including aptX Lossless.
- Support aptX Lossless for high-resolution audio.
- Well-built and comfortable.
- Default sound lacks detail.
- Poor passive soundstage.
The Denon PerL Pro are great for commute and travel. They have a sturdy build and a very comfortable fit for most people. Their ANC feature isn't the best at blocking the low rumble of bus and plane engines, but it still does a decent job and is even better at isolating you from background conversations. Their 6.75 hours of battery life won't last through longer flights, but you can charge one or both earbuds in the portable case, which holds three extra charges.
- Good noise isolation.
- Well-built and comfortable.
- Circular bud design can press on smaller ears.
The Denon PerL Pro are great for sports and fitness. They come with a big selection of ear tips and stability fins, and once you get a good fit, they easily stay in place during workouts. They have a small, wireless design, so there's no risk of a cable getting snagged on something. They're also rated IPX4 for resistance to minor water exposure. However, they have a somewhat short battery life, so you'll want to recharge after a long workout.
- Very stable fit.
- Well-built and comfortable.
- Circular bud design can press on smaller ears.
The Denon PerL Pro are decent for office use. They have a comfortable fit for long days, and their ANC feature does a very good job of reducing background chit-chat. They also support multi-device pairing, which is nice if you use both your phone and computer throughout the day. While their 6.75-hour battery life may not last you through an entire workday, they come with a case that holds three extra charges, so you can always pop them into the case if you need more power.
- Good noise isolation.
- Well-built and comfortable.
- Support multi-device pairing.
- Mic struggles to separate your voice from loud ambient sound.
- Circular bud design can press on smaller ears.
The Denon PerL Pro aren't suitable for wireless gaming. Since they can only connect via Bluetooth, they don't work with Xbox or PlayStation consoles. They can connect to Bluetooth-enabled PCs but have high latency, so your audio and video will be out of sync.
The Denon PerL Pro can only connect to devices via Bluetooth; you can't use them wired.
The Denon PerL Pro are passable for phone calls. The mic makes your voice sound clear but not very full-bodied or natural. It also struggles to separate your voice from loud ambient sound. However, the buds have bone conduction mics that improve their performance with real-life use. They also have a good ANC feature that makes it easier to hear the person you're talking to if you make a call from a busy office. While their onboard controls don't include call answering and ending by default, you can add those functions with the companion app.
- Good noise isolation.
- Well-built and comfortable.
- Customizable controls.
- Default sound lacks detail.
- Mic struggles to separate your voice from loud ambient sound.
Changelog
- Updated May 10, 2024: This review has been updated to mention the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 in Comfort and Sound Profile.
- Updated Sep 19, 2023: Review published.
- Updated Sep 11, 2023: Early access published.
- Updated Sep 05, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Denon PerL Pro only come in one color, 'Black'. You can see the label for the unit we tested here.
If you come across another variant or your headphones are different, let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Denon PerL Pro are high-end earbuds for people prioritizing sound quality. They support the aptX Lossless codec, which lets you stream high-resolution audio via Bluetooth, which is a fairly rare feature even for expensive earbuds. Their custom EQ feature creates audio presets based on a hearing test, which you can adjust with a graphic EQ or 'immersion mode,' which changes the amount of bass. You can also completely remap their controls. However, their ANC feature doesn't stand out and can't block as much noise as similarly priced headphones like the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless or Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless.
If you're looking for other options, check out the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds, the best noise cancelling earbuds, and the best-sounding wireless earbuds.
You may prefer either the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless or the Denon PerL Pro True Wireless, depending on what you're planning to use your earbuds for. The Sony are better for commuting and casual use when you're out and about, thanks to their longer battery life and better ANC performance. You can also set their ANC to different modes to suit the situation. They support head gesture controls, which allow you to answer and end calls without using your hands. However, the Denon headphones are a better choice if you're mainly concerned about audio quality. Unlike the Sony, they can stream aptX Lossless audio. You can also use their app to create a personalized EQ based on a hearing test.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are a bit better than the Denon PerL Pro True Wireless. The Apple headphones have better noise isolation and a sturdier, sleeker design. They have more robust virtual surround sound features, including personalized head tracking. There are benefits for Apple users, like quick pairing and multi-device pairing with iOS. However, you may still prefer the Denon, depending on what you're looking for. All their features, like multi-device pairing, are available on both Android and iOS devices. They also support the aptX Lossless codec, which allows you to stream higher-resolution audio. They're more customizable since you can use the app to create a personalized EQ, adjust it with a graphic EQ, and remap all the controls.
The Denon PerL Pro True Wireless are better than the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 True Wireless. Both are premium earbuds designed for sound quality, but the Denon can stream higher-resolution audio with the aptX Lossless codec. They give you more options for customizing the sound profile, including a personalized EQ feature and a graphic EQ. Otherwise, they have a longer battery life and support multi-device pairing. However, the Bowers & Wilkins' case acts as a wireless transmitter, granting them extra versatility since they can receive audio from Xbox and PlayStation consoles. Their noise isolation is also much better.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless and the Denon PerL Pro True Wireless have different strengths. The Bose are much better for commuting, traveling, or if noise isolation is your priority, thanks to their significantly better ANC performance. You can also set their ANC system to different modes to suit the situation. However, the Denon headphones are better if you're looking for the best sound quality from your earbuds. They can stream higher-resolution audio via the aptX Lossless codec and support Spatial Audio, a virtual surround sound feature. You can also use their app to create a personalized EQ based on a hearing test.
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