Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) vs Denon PerL Pro
100 facts in comparison
Based on 1,384 Reddit opinions. PerL ProDenon PerL Pro leads by 28 points.
1.4K opinions
PerL Pro leads by 28pts
VS
50%
D
Based on
443 Redditors
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
~$105
223 opinions
tldr; Original Pro model. Still solid ANC and transparency, seamless Apple integration. Gen 2 is better though.
Check pricesVS
Reddit's Pick
78%
B
Based on
2,068 Redditors
Winner
Denon PerL Pro
~$249
1,161 opinions
tldr; Audiophile sleeper hit. Masimo adaptive sound personalization is game-changing. Best bass in TWS category.
Check prices🎵SOU
❤️FIT
🔇ANC
🔋BAT
📱CAL
45
Points
49
Points
Score by Category
Sound Quality
43%91%
Fit & Comfort
33%29%
ANC Performance
63%41%
Battery & Case
55%32%
Call Quality
29%50%
Why is Denon PerL Pro better than Pro (1st generation)?
- Higher Reddit score (78% vs 50%)
- Better sound quality (91% vs 43%)
- Better call quality (50% vs 29%)
- Personalized sound via ear scan
- Monster bass when you want it
- Decent ANC, not class-leading
Based on 2,511 Reddit opinions
Clear Winner
Reddit prefers the PerL ProDenon PerL Pro
Winning by 28 points (78% vs 50%)
Better sound quality
Better call quality
Personalized sound via ear scan
High confidence (2,511 mentions)
💬Reddit Sentiment
Based on 2,511 Reddit mentionsOverall Rating
(1st generation)
5.0/10
443 mentions
PerL Pro
7.8/10
2,068 mentions
FIT COMFORT
(1st generation)3.3/10
PerL Pro2.9/10
SOUND QUALITY
(1st generation)4.3/10
PerL Pro9.1/10
ANC PERFORMANCE
(1st generation)6.3/10
PerL Pro4.1/10
CALL QUALITY
(1st generation)2.9/10
PerL Pro5.0/10
BATTERY CASE
(1st generation)5.5/10
PerL Pro3.2/10
⚔️
Head to Head
| Topic | (1st generation) | PerL Pro |
|---|---|---|
Fit Comfort | 33% | 29% |
Sound Quality | 43% | 91% |
Anc Performance | 63% | 41% |
Call Quality | 29% | 50% |
Battery Case | 55% | 32% |
Category Wins
(1st generation): 3|PerL Pro: 2
Head to Head
(1st generation): 3|PerL Pro: 2
Fit Comfort(1st generation)
(1st generation)33%
PerL Pro29%
Sound QualityPerL Pro
(1st generation)43%
PerL Pro91%
Anc Performance(1st generation)
(1st generation)63%
PerL Pro41%
Call QualityPerL Pro
(1st generation)29%
PerL Pro50%
Battery Case(1st generation)
(1st generation)55%
PerL Pro32%
(1st generation)
50%
78%
PerL Pro
(1st generation)50%
PerL Pro78%
Clear winner - PerL Pro leads by 28 points
Key Specs
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) | Denon PerL Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Apple | Denon |
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer | Denon |
| Color | White | Black |
| Weight | 0.1 Pounds | 0.12 pounds |
| Height | 1.32 inches | 1.0 inches |
Key Highlights
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
🍎 Seamless Apple ecosystem
🔇 Good ANC for the size
📞 Excellent call quality
👂 Comfortable for most ears
⚠️ Battery degrades over time
Some users report issues (27% negative)
Denon PerL ProWinner
🎵 Personalized sound via ear scan
🔈 Monster bass when you want it
🔇 Decent ANC, not class-leading
⚠️ Fit can be tricky
💰 Often discounted to ~$250
Topic Battles
(1st generation): 3|Tied: 0|PerL Pro: 2
🎵Sound Quality
PerL Pro wins(1st generation)
43%
PerL Pro
91%
❤️Fit & Comfort
(1st generation) wins(1st generation)
33%
PerL Pro
29%
🔇ANC Performance
(1st generation) wins(1st generation)
63%
PerL Pro
41%
🔋Battery & Case
(1st generation) wins(1st generation)
55%
PerL Pro
32%
📱Call Quality
PerL Pro wins(1st generation)
29%
PerL Pro
50%
Based on Reddit sentiment across 5 categories
📈Where They Rank
💬What Redditors Actually Say
What Redditors Say
Best praise vs top criticism for Denon PerL Pro
Best Praise
+31 pts“I too used to think that BT is barely passable at least in SQ so I stopped spending money on it & just lived with a Jabra H85 fullsize can. And I had some cheap $15 BT neckband earbuds I used for riding EUCs. Did the job but never expected much. That was then & this is now. I saw a Denon PerL Pro on a Prime Day deal & figured why not easy return if it sucked. Well… it blew me away. Soundstage, imaging, clarity, sweet vocals, bass that doesn’t just boom but actually talks. I know you’re not trying to drop $$$ or chase audiophile gear. So for that I'd honestly look at the \[Tagry bluetooth earbuds\](https://LaunchDeals.github.io/Value/?to=what\_are\_the\_best\_cheap). They are on Amazon rn for like \~$25 (they’re listed at $49 but often on sale). For the price they’re shockingly solid. Battery life is a beast, 60 hours total, and the case doesn’t flake out like Skullcandy’s tends to. LED battery display, wireless charging, decent mic and a comfy in ear fit right out of the box. Sound wise: No ANC but the passive isolation is enough for everyday stuff. Nothing overly boosted.. just clean, balanced playback”
r/earbuds
ViewTop Criticism
+5 pts“Denon Perl Pro. They sound bad and the sound customization made them worse. Also incredibly awkward to wear and take out and put in the ear and case.”
r/earbuds
View3 more quotes available below
What Redditors Say
Best praise vs top criticism for Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
Best Praise
+8 pts“I have airpods pro with memory foam tips, and I can't barely hear nothing even with no music on. But I guess that many brands would feel the same, *with memory foam*.”
r/earbuds
ViewTop Criticism
+5 pts“At least for me it's because people consistently tell me the mic on my AirPod Pros sounds like shit.”
r/earbuds
View3 more quotes available below
Sentiment Over Time
(1st generation)
Denon PerL Pro
📈Historical Price Data
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
Denon PerL Pro
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
All-time low: $93.88(2025-07)
Denon PerL Pro
All-time low: $124.9(2025-05)
Which is Better?
Denon PerL Pro Wins
78%
Pro
vs
50%
generation)
Denon PerL Pro leads by 28 points based on 2,511 Reddit opinions.
Why PerL ProWinner
- 🎵 Personalized sound via ear scan
- 🔈 Monster bass when you want it
- 🔇 Decent ANC, not class-leading
- More discussed (2,068 vs 443)
Why (1st generation)
- 🍎 Seamless Apple ecosystem
- 🔇 Good ANC for the size
❤️The Love/Hate Breakdown
Sentiment Breakdown
44%Positive
Positive
44%Neutral
44%Negative
12%Based on 2,068 Reddit opinions
Sentiment Breakdown
23%Positive
Positive
23%Neutral
50%Negative
27%Based on 443 Reddit opinions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Denon PerL Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)?
Based on 2,511 Reddit comments, Denon PerL Pro is the preferred choice with 78% positive sentiment vs Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)'s 50%. Denon PerL Pro leads by 28 percentage points.
Should I buy Denon PerL Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)?
If you want the safer choice based on community sentiment, Denon PerL Pro has stronger approval ratings (78% vs 50%). However, Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) may still be better depending on your specific needs, budget, or use case.
What do Redditors love about Denon PerL Pro?
Reddit users highlight: Personalized sound via ear scan. Monster bass when you want it. Decent ANC, not class-leading. With 2,068 mentions and 78% approval, it's a well-regarded choice in the community.
What do Redditors say about Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)?
Reddit users highlight: Seamless Apple ecosystem. Good ANC for the size. Excellent call quality. With 443 mentions and 50% approval, it remains a popular alternative.
How many Reddit reviews were analyzed?
This comparison analyzed 2,511 Reddit comments: 2,068 about Denon PerL Pro and 443 about Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation). Data was sourced from Earbuds community discussions.
How accurate are these ratings?
Our sentiment analysis is approximately 80-85% accurate compared to manual review. Well-discussed products with many mentions tend to have more reliable scores than niche items with fewer data points.
Why trust Reddit over professional reviews?
Reddit users bought products with their own money and have no incentive to mislead. You're seeing hundreds of real opinions across different use cases, not just one reviewer's take. This crowdsourced approach surfaces both common praise and recurring complaints.
1,384 Reddit opinions analyzed · Last updated 5/19/2026