Introduction
Denon’s parent company made headlines when it acquired the startup Nura, primarily because of Nura’s groundbreaking technology that can automatically adjust audio playback to match an individual’s unique hearing profile. This technology, known as Adaptive Acoustic Technology (AAT), has now made its way into Denon’s wireless in-ear headphones, specifically the PerL Pro model.
Specifications
| Brand | Denon |
| Model name | PerL Pro |
| Colour | Black |
| Form factor | Color |
| Connectivity technology | Wireless |
| Wireless communication technology | Bluetooth |
| Special feature | Masimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology (AAT), Lossless Audio, Sweat & Water Resistant |
| Included components | Charging Cable, PerL Pro Ear Buds and Charging Case, Multiple Ear Tips |
| Age range (description) | Adult |
| Control type | Voice Control |
Entering the Elite Tier of Wireless In-Ears
The Denon PerL Pro is not just another pair of wireless earbuds; it’s a contender in the upper echelons of the wireless in-ear headphone market. It competes with established players like the Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Buds II, and Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2. To distinguish itself in this highly competitive landscape, Denon has equipped the PerL Pro with several unique features, including AAT and support for aptX Lossless, a codec promising pristine CD-quality audio over a Bluetooth connection.
A Familiar Design with a Denon Touch
The PerL Pro’s design might seem familiar to those who have been following audio innovations. In fact, it bears a striking resemblance to the NuraTrue Pro, which was introduced through Kickstarter the previous year. While the overall design has similarities, Denon has applied its own tuning and expertise to refine and optimize the PerL Pro’s performance.
If the PerL Pro’s 349 euro price tag is a bit steep for you, there’s also a regular PerL model available for 199 euros. This alternative offers a similar design and noise cancellation but lacks certain features, such as the lossless audio mode, spatial audio, and slightly compromises on battery life.
Impressive Battery Life and Convenient Charging
When it comes to battery life, the PerL Pro impresses. It offers up to 8 hours of continuous use on a single charge (without active noise cancellation), and when combined with the charging case, the total listening time extends to an impressive 32 hours. The case itself supports wireless charging, adding to the convenience of these earbuds.
Unique Design for Comfort and a Secure Fit
The PerL Pro’s design is anything but ordinary. When worn, they appear as large discs resting in your ears, giving off a distinctive and somewhat futuristic appearance. The entire disc surface is touch-sensitive, making it incredibly easy to control playback, adjust settings, or activate noise cancellation without fumbling for specific buttons. To ensure a secure fit, Denon provides optional “wings” that can be attached to the earbuds. These wings, along with the ear tips, contribute to a comfortable and secure fit, even during activities like walking or cycling.
Personalized Sound Experience with AAT
The Denon Headphone app places a strong emphasis on creating a personalized sound experience through AAT. These listening profiles are generated based on your individual hearing characteristics. To create a profile, you’ll undergo a brief hearing test within the app, which objectively measures your hearing abilities. The app then tailors the audio output to match your unique hearing profile. The PerL Pro allows you to create up to three different profiles, which can come in handy if you find your hearing preferences vary based on factors like ambient noise or the position of the earbuds.
AAT: Objectivity in Sound Customization
AAT distinguishes itself from traditional personal sound functions found in many headphones. While other systems rely on user feedback to adjust sound, AAT automates the process by objectively measuring your hearing. This approach minimizes the potential for errors or inaccuracies and ensures that the sound output is precisely tailored to your ears.
Spatial Audio Enhanced by Dirac Virtuo
The PerL Pro offers a spatial audio feature, and Denon took a unique approach by collaborating with Dirac instead of using the more common Dolby Atmos algorithm. The result is a spatial audio experience that feels natural and lacks the artificiality often associated with some 3D audio technologies. This spatial audio feature works exceptionally well with stereo music, providing an immersive and emotionally engaging listening experience. Importantly, you have the flexibility to enable or disable this feature based on your preferences.
Lossless Audio with aptX Lossless
Adding to its arsenal of technology, the PerL Pro introduces support for aptX Lossless, a codec that promises lossless, CD-quality audio over a Bluetooth connection. To enjoy this feature, certain conditions must be met. Your smartphone needs to support aptX Lossless (typically requiring a recent Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset with Snapdragon Sound), and the distance between your phone and the earbuds should remain within a reasonable range. While there aren’t many wireless in-ear headphones with aptX Lossless support currently available, more compatible devices are expected in the future.
Audio & ANC
- Masimo Adaptive Acoustic TechnologyYes
- Noise CancellingAdaptive active noise cancelling
- TransparencyYes, Social Mode
- Driver Size10 mm
- Driver TypeUltralow-distortion triple-layer titanium diaphragm dynamic driver
- Frequency Range20 Hz–40 kHz
- Qualcomm aptX Lossless CodecYes
- Spatial AudioYes, Dirac Virtuo
- Head Tracking (for Spatial Audio)No
- Adjustable BassYes, Immersion Mode
A Real Denon Sound, Enhanced
Straight out of the box, the PerL Pro delivers the distinctive Denon sound profile—powerful, controlled, with deep bass extension and dynamic range. AAT further enhances the listening experience by ensuring that the sound matches your hearing preferences.
Noise Cancellation and Call Quality
While the PerL Pro performs admirably in terms of noise cancellation, it may not surpass competitors like the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 in this area. However, its call quality stands out, thanks in part to the use of bone conduction microphones alongside traditional ones. This results in excellent intelligibility, even in noisy environments, making the PerL Pro ideal for making calls on the go or participating in video conferences.
Conclusion
In summary, the Denon PerL Pros offer a feature-rich and technologically advanced audio experience that sets them apart from many competitors. Denon has focused on meaningful innovations, and this is reflected in several industry-first features. If you’re looking for a pair of wireless earbuds that provide a personalized audio experience and don’t require top-tier noise cancellation, the PerL Pros are a compelling choice, even with their price tag of 349 euros.
Plus points
- AAT function is a real added value
- Mature and exciting sound
- Excellent bass quality
- Natural sound in spatial audio mode
- Excellent wearing comfort
Negatives
- Noise cancellation is good, not excellent
- Higher price range
