When it comes to premium wireless earbuds in 2024, two standout options are the newly released Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation Earbuds at $179.99 and the Denon PerL Pro True Wireless Earbuds, currently available for $149.00 (down from their original $349 price tag). Let's dive into what makes each special and help you decide which is right for your needs.
The wireless earbud market has evolved significantly since the original AirPods debuted in 2016. Today's premium earbuds offer features that seemed like science fiction just a few years ago - from spatial audio (which creates a 3D soundstage around your head) to adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts based on your environment.
The big story for 2024 is how these advanced features are becoming more refined and accessible. Both our contenders today represent the cutting edge of what's possible in this space.
The AirPods 4 hit the market in September 2024, bringing Apple's latest H2 chip technology and their first attempt at active noise cancellation in an open-ear design. The PerL Pro arrived slightly earlier, in September 2023, showcasing Denon's fresh approach to the category with some impressive audio innovations.
Apple's latest offering brings noticeable improvements to sound quality over previous generations. The H2 chip (Apple's custom audio processor) enables better noise cancellation and more detailed sound processing. While the open-ear design means you won't get the same bass response as sealed earbuds, the overall sound is clear and well-balanced.
Denon's approach is more technically ambitious. They've included support for aptX Lossless (a way to transmit CD-quality audio wirelessly without compression) and their own Masimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology, which personalizes the sound to your hearing profile. In practice, this means the PerL Pro can deliver noticeably better audio quality, especially if you're listening to high-quality music sources.
If you're using Apple devices, the AirPods 4 integration is practically magical. They instantly pair with all your Apple devices, automatically switch between them, and offer hands-free Siri access. The Find My integration helps locate lost earbuds, even showing their location on a map.
The PerL Pro takes a more platform-agnostic approach. While they work great with both iOS and Android, they particularly shine with Android phones supporting aptX Lossless. Their companion app offers deep customization options for sound profiles and controls.
This is an area where the numbers tell a clear story:
Both cases offer wireless charging, but the PerL Pro's longer battery life makes it better suited for long listening sessions or travel.
Apple's design is minimalist and lightweight. The open-ear design works well for those who don't like the sealed feeling of traditional earbuds, though it does impact noise isolation. They're incredibly light at 4.3 grams each.
The PerL Pro are slightly larger at 7.5 grams each but include multiple ear tip sizes and wing attachments for a secure fit. The sealed design provides better passive noise isolation, which helps with both sound quality and noise cancellation.
Having tested both extensively, here are some practical observations:
The AirPods 4 work well enough, but the PerL Pro offers better isolation from subway and street noise. The PerL Pro's superior battery life is also a plus for long commutes.
When watching movies, the PerL Pro's aptX Lossless support and superior sound quality make them the better choice. However, if you're deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and frequently switch between Apple TV and other devices, the AirPods 4's seamless switching is hard to beat.
Both are IPX4 rated (meaning they're sweat-resistant), but the AirPods 4's lighter weight might be preferable for high-impact activities. The PerL Pro's more secure fit works better for activities like weight training.
The current pricing makes this interesting:
At these prices, the PerL Pro offers exceptional value, especially considering their superior audio capabilities and battery life. However, the AirPods 4's seamless Apple integration might be worth the premium for heavy Apple users.
Consider these key factors when making your choice:
Both the AirPods 4 and PerL Pro are excellent earbuds that showcase different priorities in design and functionality. The AirPods 4 excel at ecosystem integration and convenience, while the PerL Pro win on pure audio performance and versatility.
If you're primarily an Apple user who values seamless integration and simple operation, the AirPods 4 are your best bet. However, if you're an audio enthusiast, use multiple platforms, or want the best value for your money, the PerL Pro are currently hard to beat, especially at their sale price.
Remember that personal preference plays a huge role in earbud selection - if possible, try both or purchase from a retailer with a good return policy to ensure you're completely satisfied with your choice.
| Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation Earbuds | Denon PerL Pro True Wireless Earbuds |
|---|---|
| Price - Your starting consideration for value assessment | |
| $179.99 | $149.00 (on sale from $349) |
| Battery Life - Critical for extended listening sessions | |
| 5 hours (4 with ANC) | 8 hours (significantly better for all-day use) |
| Audio Codec Support - Determines maximum audio quality potential | |
| AAC (good for Apple devices) | aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC (superior for high-res audio) |
| Noise Cancellation - Important for commuting and office use | |
| Basic ANC with open design (moderate effectiveness) | Advanced ANC with sealed design (notably better isolation) |
| Ecosystem Integration - Affects ease of use across devices | |
| Seamless Apple integration, instant pairing | Platform agnostic, better for Android users |
| Microphone Count - Important for call quality | |
| 4 microphones | 8 microphones (superior call clarity) |
| Water Resistance - Crucial for workout use | |
| IPX4 | IPX4 (both equally suitable for workouts) |
| Weight Per Earbud - Affects comfort during long sessions | |
| 4.3g (extremely light) | 7.5g (slightly heavier but still comfortable) |
| Special Features - Additional value considerations | |
| Spatial Audio, Find My integration, seamless device switching | Personalized sound profiles, multipoint connectivity, customizable EQ |
| Case Charging - Convenience factor | |
| Wireless charging, MagSafe compatible | Wireless charging, USB-C |
For home theater use, the Denon PerL Pro has a clear advantage over the AirPods 4 due to its aptX Lossless support and superior sound quality. The PerL Pro's better bass response and spatial audio capabilities make it the superior choice for movie watching.
At current prices, the Denon PerL Pro at $149 offers better value than the AirPods 4 at $179.99, especially considering its superior audio quality and longer battery life. However, if you're deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods 4's integration features might justify the higher price.
The Denon PerL Pro offers significantly better battery life with 8 hours per charge, compared to the AirPods 4 which provides 5 hours (or 4 hours with noise cancellation enabled).
The Denon PerL Pro offers superior noise cancellation due to its sealed design, while the AirPods 4 uses an open-ear design that provides moderate noise cancellation. For watching movies in noisy environments, the PerL Pro has a clear advantage.
For gaming, the Denon PerL Pro has lower latency with aptX Adaptive support, making it technically superior to the AirPods 4. However, AirPods 4 work extremely well when gaming on Apple devices due to their optimized integration.
Yes, both the AirPods 4 and Denon PerL Pro work with all streaming services. The PerL Pro has an advantage with high-resolution audio services due to its superior codec support.
The Denon PerL Pro offers superior sound quality compared to the AirPods 4, with better bass response, clearer highs, and support for higher-quality audio codecs. This advantage extends to both music and movie soundtracks.
Both work well for video calls, but the Denon PerL Pro has eight microphones compared to the AirPods 4's four microphones, potentially offering better call quality. However, AirPods 4 are particularly well-optimized for FaceTime calls.
While comfort is subjective, the AirPods 4 are lighter (4.3g vs 7.5g), but the Denon PerL Pro offers more fit options with multiple tip sizes and wing attachments. For long movie sessions, the PerL Pro's longer battery life is a significant advantage.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: tomsguide.com - apple.com - youtube.com - apple.com - staples.com - support.apple.com - connection.com - support.apple.com - pcrichard.com - adorama.com - zones.com - cdw.com - techradar.com - popsci.com - masimo.com - whathifi.com - audio46.com - headphones.com - head-fi.org - rtings.com - denon.com - stereonet.com - avsforum.com - audiosciencereview.com
