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Denon PerL Pro

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Specifications

• Masimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology: Yes
• Noise Cancelling: Adaptive active noise cancellation
• Transparency: Yes, Social Mode
• Driver Size: 10 mm
• Driver Type: Ultralow-distortion triple-layer titanium diaphragm dynamic driver
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz–40 kHz
• Qualcomm aptX Lossless Codec: Yes
• Spatial Audio: Yes, Dirac Virtuo
• Head Tracking (for Spatial Audio): No
• Adjustable Bass: Yes, Immersion Mode
• Bluetooth Version: 5.3
• Bluetooth Codecs: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX Classic, AAC, SBC
• Bluetooth Quick Switch: Yes
• Multipoint: Yes
• Battery Life–Buds: 8 hrs
• Battery Life with Case : 32 hrs
• Charging Cable Type: USB-A to USB-C
• Wireless Charging (Case): Yes
• Quick Charge: 5 min for 1 hr playback
• Case Charge Time: 1 hr
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Earbud Weight: 8.6 g
• Case Dimensions: 72.4 x 30.2 x 35 mm
• Case Weight: 55.5 g

Features worth noting here are of course that we get both ANC and Transparency modes in PerL Pro. However, it's also worth looking into the Masimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology, which I'll get into later in the review, as it's one of the things that really sets the PerL Pro apart from many other sets.

A trip around as the Denon PerL Pro

Like virtually all other True Wireless Earbuds of this type, the Denon PerL Pro naturally also comes with a storage and charging case. In this case, it is a discreet black case in matt black plastic.

There is a very discreet Denon logo on the top, and in the front there are three equally discreet LED lights that indicate the charging status when you charge the case and the two earbuds. This can be done either via the USB C connector on the back, or wirelessly via the QI standard.

Inside the case, the two earbuds are magnetically held in place and charge via pogo pins.

If we look at the two earbuds, the design stands out a little from many others. In part, they are quite large, with a reasonably large round "plate" with a Denon logo as the front. That field also functions as a touch interface, for ending and answering calls, media management, etc. It is possible via Denon's app to customize these functions, which we will look at later.

The field is about 2.5 cm across and therefore takes up quite a bit of space. The size also means that the Denon PerL Pro comes in with a weight of 8.6 grams per Ear buds. While that doesn't sound like much, it's close to twice as much as most other True Wireless Earbuds I've tested.

The Denon PerL Pro is held firmly in the ear by a silicone ear tip. It is complemented a bit by the fact that the design is made so that part of the inside of each earbud also rests on the ear itself.

Replaceable silicone tips are included in the package. The medium size is included as standard, but there is also a large and a small included.

An alternative silicone part is also included. It can be used to replace the inner silicone part of each earbud. The alternative is made so that it can be used to provide better protection in the ear.

In addition to that, there is finally a short USB C cable for charging.

Software

If you want to adjust settings or check on the firmware and general status of your Denon PerL set, you must get hold of the Denon Headphones app.

As a rather annoying point, one has to create a profile to access the app. This kind of "compulsion" always annoys me! Denon also requires acceptance of data collection via the app.

From here you can adjust details such as settings for volume, EQ, ANC, etc. There is a good selection of functions and it is, for example, easy to control which devices you want to use via Multipoint connection or adjust the functions on the touch interface on the two earbuds.

It is possible with four different functions on each side, with a good selection of options for functions, such as media control, voice assistant and sound profiles.

However, one of the most central features in the Denon Headphones software is the possibility of setting up a Masimo ATT (Adaptive Acoustic Technology)

It is a feature where you can set up your very own personal sound profile, based on your particular ear. In connection with setup, the app takes a measurement of your ear, in a not entirely specified way, and then forms a personal profile based on the collected data.

You can then use and adapt that profile if you want. As I will get into in a bit, I would definitely recommend that if nothing else you give it a try.

However, it is also possible to create your own EQ profile if you prefer.

The test

I've had the Denon PerL Pro visiting for a few weeks now, and during that time have used them for a lot of music supplemented by a bit of conversation.

In general, I would say that materials and build quality are at the top of the set, which exudes quality all around.

Design and preferences are always a personal matter, so whether you like the design or not is up to you.

Personally, however, I think that the set is a bit too big and, not least, heavy in its design. They never felt natural to my ears, and the comfort was not particularly good in my ears for much other than shorter periods.

At the same time, the design also had a very annoying design, which meant that they were incredibly difficult to get out of the case, unless I could just pry a fingernail down to get each earbud out. It often took a few tries before I could get them out of the case, which became a bit of an annoyance.

If we look at the sound profile, however, the Denon PerL makes up for much of what was lost. Out of the box, without customization, the sound was pretty average and perhaps a little disappointing, with a limited amount of depth and average separation between lows, mids, and highs.

However, it was only after the Masimo ATT adaptation that the set came into its own! Here, the sound was improved to that extent and is clearly among the best earbuds I have tried to date. The sound becomes clearly fuller and maybe just a little on the heavy side.

However, after adjusting the bass down a notch, I found a bearing that I was happy with. Here I got an incredibly full sound image with a much more pleasantly balanced base of good deep warm tones supplemented by really well-defined mid and high tones.

The ANC part seems reasonable. It is best able to sort out the deeper droning sounds, such as the rumble of a car or train. The louder and sharper sounds in the background noise are more difficult for it to shut out.

Denon itself states the battery time at around 8 hours for the two earbuds, which can be extended to around 32 hours by continuous charging via the included case.

There has been nothing during my test that indicates that the specifications do not hit very well..

Price

At the time of writing, I can find the Denon PerL Pro with an online price of 420$. That currently places them as by far the most expensive set of True Wireless Earbuds I've tested to date.

Conclusion

With their PerL Pro, Denon has made a set of Ture Wireless Earbuds, which come with an eminently good sound, once you have gone through their Masimo ATT setup and got a personal sound profile there.

Personally, I'm not entirely happy with the design, which I find both a little too big and heavy. In addition, smaller details, such as the difficulty of getting the set out of the case, are also a constant point of irritation.

So there are a few really good details and a few really annoying ones. Some of the complaints are, of course, something that can be a very personal matter, and which is therefore not a problem for other users.

I really wanted to have the beautiful and solid sound that Denon achieves with the PerL Pro, but just in a more beautiful and comfortable form factor for me. At the same time, I also really wish that it was not required that I HAD to register and accept data collection via Denon's App, in order to gain access to the features hidden there.

Overall, I find it difficult to justify the price of 420$, despite fantastic sound, when there are so many things pulling in the other direction.

We end up with a final score of 8 for a set of True Wireless Earbuds with the best sound I've heard in a set of Ture Wireless Earbuds, but which however stumble on the design details.

Pros:

• Great sound via Masimo ATT
• Beautiful materials and build quality
• Sensible ANC

Cons:

• The price
• Big and heavy for a set of True Wireless
• Annoying design on the case makes it difficult to get the earbuds out
• Registration and acceptance of data collection in app required