The Japanese brand has released its latest and very ambitious earbuds: the Denon PerL Pro. Active noice cancelling, Dirac Virtuo spatialization technology, custom acoustic calibration… Sold for €349, will this IEMs match the performance of the Devialet Gemini II or the B&O EX?
Included accessories
The Denon PerL Pro earbuds come with four pairs of ear tips in different sizes (XS, S, M, L), a pair of foam ear tips, and two pairs of Secure-Fit wings. A 20cm USB to USB-C charging cable is also included.
Presentation
Clever design
Both imposing and sleek, Denon PerL Pro earbuds feature a round, flat 3.5cm shell with an elegant matte black finish. The brand logo appears in the center of the earpiece. A pretty metal band surrounds it all.
The Denon PerL earbuds feature Secure-Fit wings for excellent fit and positioning in the ear. The different ear tips, whether in terms of material (foam or silicone) or size (from XS to L), enable a perfect fit. After a few hours of listening, the volume and weight of the earphones (8.6g) became noticeable, and it was nice to take them out for a few minutes before resuming our music session.
In addition to comfort, the ear tips play a very important role in both sound isolation and reproduction. When they fit snugly in the ear canal, they reduce sound leakage and improve low-frequency reproduction. So it’s important to take the time to test all the tips (size, material), which can offer different degrees of passive isolation depending on your ear shape. The dedicated app lets you know when the earphones are in the wrong position.
In addition to their excellent fit, their IPX4 certification makes them ideal for sporting activities, providing effective protection against perspiration and splashes. A wear sensor and several discreet microphones round off this design, which has been developed to ensure a pleasant user experience.
A sound that’s enveloping…
Inside, the Denon PerL Pro earbuds feature 10mm dynamic drivers with a triple-layer titanium diaphragm. This design promises an audio reproduction with minimal distortion, covering a frequency range from 20Hz to 40kHz.
In addition to aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC and SBC codecs, the Denon PerL Pros feature an aptX Lossless-compatible Bluetooth module, specially designed to deliver lossless audio quality comparable to that of a 16-bit CD at 44.1kHz. These earphones support the Multipoint function, enabling you to listen to music from a computer, for example, while being alerted to calls on a telephone.
The real distinguishing feature of these earbuds is their ability to deliver captivating spatial sound thanks to Dirac Virtuo technology. Like Apple’s Spatial Audio, this innovation enables multi-channel audio support, creating a spacious, natural soundscape thanks to precise sound localization. The low frequencies are selectively emphasized thanks to an algorithm that determines the elements to be highlighted in the music. This system works remarkably well, delivering a highly immersive and balanced sound experience.
Note that you don’t need to listen to Dolby Atmos or 360 Reality Audio tracks to enjoy this, as simple stereo tracks will suffice.
… and customizable
The sound signature of Denon PerL Pro earbuds can be customized using the Denon Headphones app. The latter provides access to a 5-band equalizer, so you can adjust the sound to suit your preferences.
But the real highlight is the support for Adaptive Acoustic Technology (AAT). Masimo recently acquired Nura, an Australian company that has specialized in personalized audio since 2015. Denon’s Perl Pros are essentially based on the NuraTrue Pro technologies, but under a new name.
The AAT system automatically adjusts the equalizer parameters according to the user’s hearing (3 profiles can be saved). This requires an analysis that lasts a few minutes. This involves several steps, with various audio sequences broadcast into each ear, from the lowest to the highest frequencies.
A real departure from the Personi-Fi calibration system found on the JBL Tour Pro 2 we tested, AAT requires no action on the part of the user. Whereas with Personi-Fi or the Mimi hearing test for the Focal Bathys, the listener has to indicate when they can no longer hear the frequency being played, the Denon PerL Pro’s AAT simply requires correct placement of the earbuds, before letting the application do its thing.
How does it work?
Thanks to the phenomenon of otoacoustic emissions (OAE). When sounds reach the inner ear, the cochlea reacts by generating small sounds in return. This sound response is particularly pronounced at the frequencies to which hearing is most sensitive. The Denon earbuds are therefore equipped with small microphones that detect the volume of the OAEs and thus measure the sensitivity to specific frequencies. The data collected from these tests is then used to precisely adapt the sound of the earbuds to the listener’s acoustic profile.
Once the analysis is complete, the app compares the customized mode with the neutral mode. We were impressed by the efficiency of this technology. This mode can also be complemented with Spatial Audio to transform stereo content into an immersive audio experience.
Active noise cancelling and Transparent mode
The Denon PerL Pro earbuds also feature ANC. The latter is very effective against low frequencies, but has a little more difficulty attenuating the highest frequencies at low volume. It’s still ideal for listening to music on public transport or in an open-plan office to attenuate ambient sounds. Unfortunately, the intensity is not adjustable.
A Transparency mode (called Social) is also included to keep you connected to your environment. The highs are slightly muffled, but you can hear traffic noise or have a brief conversation without removing the earbuds.
Note that these two options can be deactivated via the device settings in the app.
Call quality
In addition to eight microphones for voice pickup, the Denon PerL Pro earphones feature Qualcomm aptX Voice technology for super-wideband (32kHz) voice calls. While not perfect, the quality of the microphones is slightly better than that of most True Wireless earbuds on the market.
Touch-sensitive controls or app
In addition to the app, the Denon PerL Pros feature a touch-sensitive interface on each of the shells. Each press is accompanied by a beep, confirming that the press has been registered. Note that the beeps become higher-pitched with each press (up to 4), so that you know the number of times you’ve pressed the earbuds. This feature can be configured from within the application, allowing you to customize the actions associated with the number of presses. This approach makes the Denon PerL Pro True Wireless earbuds easy to use.
More than a whole day of playback
The Denon PerL Pro wireless earbuds offer up to 8 hours of continuous playback and up to 24 hours of autonomy with the charging case. It features three LED charge indicators on the front panel. This compact charging box can be recharged via its USB-C port, as well as with a Qi induction charger, such as the Native Union Drop Wireless Charger (not supplied).
In addition, the app offers two modes of use, Performance and Low Power, to save battery power.
Key specifications
- True Wireless earbuds, closed-back
- 10mm dynamic transducers with triple-layer titanium diaphragm
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 40kHz
- Spatial audio: Dirac Virtuo
- Masimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology (AAT)
- Active noise cancelling and Transparency mode
- Bluetooth: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, SBC, Multipoint
- Autonomy: 8 h + 24 h
- Weight (earbud / case): 8.6g / 55.5g
Listening conditions
We tested the Denon PerL Pro earbuds with a smartphone and an aptX-compatible DAP, as well as with a Windows PC and Samsung TV. We listened to Hi-Res music streamed from Qobuz.
Listening impressions
The Denon PerL Pro earbuds revealed impressive musicality, with a powerful, spacious sound, in keeping with the signature Denon sound found on the manufacturer’s other audio devices. We enjoyed great clarity and detail, especially in the mid and high frequencies. The richness and impact of the low frequencies were also excellent, offering total immersion in the music.
Overall, the Denon PerL Pro earbuds’ soundstage was spacious and enveloping. On Musica Nuda’s Fever, the highest notes, especially the harmonica, were clear and well-defined. The singer’s voice was crisp and perfectly highlighted. As far as low frequencies are concerned, they were very deep and had good energy.
The earbuds’ sound was satisfactory right out of the box, but the sound experience took on a whole new dimension when the AAT-generated profile was activated. The soundstage became even more expansive, offering impressive depth and breadth. Activating the immersion/spatial audio mode enhanced this experience. The low frequencies plunged even deeper, offering remarkable richness and power, while the midrange was clear, perfectly highlighting the artists’ voices.
Denon PerL Pro VS Devialet Gemini II
Priced at €399, Devialet’s Gemini II earphones are like pretty jewelry, easier to wear than the imposing Denon PerL Pros. However, the Denon IEMs offer advanced features such as in-depth sound customization with AAT technology and an equalizer, enhanced ANC and a Spatial Audio mode with Dirac Virtuo technology, guaranteeing a more immersive sound experience.
Denon PerL Pro VS B&O Beoplay EX
The Bang&Olufsen Beoplay Ex earbuds feature a sleeker, more comfortable design for long-term use. They are also IP57-certified (splashproof and dustproof), compared with IPX4 for the PerL Pro. While the B&O models offer a very balanced listening experience, the Denon models benefit from AAT and Dirac Virtuo technologies for a personalized, more immersive sound reproduction.
Tailor-made sound
The Denon PerL Pro earbuds are for people looking for immersive sound that perfectly matches their hearing and the track being played, without spending hours adjusting an equalizer. Support for the aptX Lossless codec enables high-quality wireless listening sessions. IPX4-certified, with excellent fit, noise cancelling and Transparent mode, these in-ear monitors let listeners enjoy music or podcasts outdoors or during a sports session.
Conclusion
Sound calibration and immersion technologies (AAT, Dirac Virtuo, EQ…) as well as lossless audio via Bluetooth (aptX Lossless) are major assets, offering an incredibly comprehensive wireless listening experience. Although comfort could be improved, and the noise cancelling could use some adjustment, their high-end performance justifies the investment.
We liked
- The breadth of the soundstage
- The deep, powerful bass
- The great clarity
- The AAT technology
- The Spatial Audio (Dirac Virtuo)
- The Bluetooth aptX Lossless compatibility
We would have liked
- More advanced ANC options
- Greater wearing comfort
