Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Denon Perl Pro True Wireless Earbuds

Preset EQ profiles are poorly regarded because they are basic and do not adequately fix the tuning complaints.

Personalized profile quality is a defining strength: most reviewers found AAT or personalized sound dramatically better, though one reviewer disliked the profile result.

EQ customization is the clearest software weakness: many reviewers criticize the basic three-band EQ as too limited for premium earbuds.

EQ customization is useful and often praised, especially ProEQ and immersion controls, though one reviewer wanted more targeted frequency bands.

Measurement-focused reviews say the frequency response is heavily shaped, with overemphasized bass and treble and recessed mids.

Frequency balance is improved by firmware and personalization for some reviewers, but profile differences can make the tonal result uneven for others.

Ear tip and wing options help fit, but the running-focused review wanted more than three sizes at this price.

Ear tip size options are well received, with praise for multiple tips, foam options, and fit flexibility.

For running, one reviewer would prefer physical button controls because touch gestures are harder to use precisely during workouts.

Button/control usability is a standout because reviewers praise extensive customization, many gesture options, and easy control mapping, with only one runner disliking a gesture.

Weight comfort is positive despite the buds being chunky or slightly heavier; reviewers said the weight was not annoying and still felt fine.

Weight and size comfort is a recurring concern because reviewers repeatedly describe the earbuds as large, awkward, or uncomfortable for smaller ears.

Audio-video sync is praised for video editing, but gaming latency is criticized for quick-reaction games, making latency performance mixed by use case.

Audio-video sync was only directly evaluated by one reviewer, who reported no lag while watching YouTube on an iPhone.

Android users are treated as a strong audience because the earbuds support advanced options and Snapdragon-related features, though some phone compatibility limits remain.

Android compatibility is conditional: Snapdragon-compatible phones benefit most, while Samsung and Google users cannot access the highest-bitrate features.

Setup simplicity is imperfect because one reviewer reported trouble with CustomTune when connecting another device during playback.

Setup and software are mixed: the hearing test can impress and work well, but some reviewers found tinkering slow or less polished than rivals.

Comfort is a major strength for many reviewers over long sessions, flights, runs, and daily use, though very small ears may struggle.

Long-use comfort is divisive: some reviewers found the earbuds comfortable, while others reported heat, rubbing, pressure, or discomfort from the large housings.

Reviewers strongly agree that ANC is the standout feature: it removes airplane, subway, traffic, keyboard, cafe, and other ambient noise better than most or all earbuds they tested, with only minor caveats about hiss or sudden spikes.

ANC is generally usable to good, but it is not the product’s strongest feature; reviewers often note rivals perform better or consistency varies.

Battery life is consistently described as adequate or average rather than class-leading, usually around six hours with ANC and less with immersive audio.

Battery life is acceptable to good for ANC earbuds, but reviewers vary from respectable and impressive to merely typical or could be better.

Touch controls split reviewers: some find them responsive, intuitive, and complete, while others call them fussy or hard to use precisely during runs.

Touch responsiveness is strongly rated, with reviewers describing responsive taps, reliable touchpads, and working commands.

Codec support is praised as premium because the earbuds support high-quality Bluetooth codecs.

Codec support is a strength for compatible devices, but reviewers also note limitations with AAC, Snapdragon compatibility, and missing LDAC.

Multipoint is a welcome and often seamless upgrade, though one reviewer noted setup/custom tune trouble when audio was already playing.

Multipoint connectivity is one of the most consistently praised usability features, with reviewers describing seamless or perfect switching between devices.

Transparency mode is generally good to excellent, especially Aware/ActiveSense, but several reviewers still prefer Apple or note wind, hiss, or manual-adjustment limits.

Transparency or social mode is mixed: some reviewers found it gentle, useful, or convenient, while others called it basic, artificial, or ineffective.

Midrange clarity is usually praised for warm vocals or crisp presentation, but measurement-focused reviewers complain that boosted lows and highs recess the mids.

Midrange performance is generally strong, with reviewers praising clear vocals, layered mids, and presence; one reviewer found the default tuning too mid-forward and radio-like.

The case is functional and now charges wirelessly, but reviewers repeatedly describe it as bulky, clunky, or less premium than the earbuds.

Carry case quality is mixed: reviewers praised solid construction and magnet security, while others noted bulk, difficult bud removal, or a weak case feel.

The Bose app is useful and sometimes clean, offering modes, controls, sources, EQ, and fit tools, but reviewers also found it mandatory, occasionally daunting, and not especially customizable.

The app is feature-rich and important for setup and customization, but reviewers also reported crashing, slow loading, and some mandatory-app friction.

Design impressions are mixed-positive: some like the sleek, subtle, creative look, while others note the chunky or busy shape may divide people.

Design splits reviewers: some like the smart, elegant, distinctive look, while others strongly dislike the oversized dinner-plate appearance.

Integrated microphones are praised in stronger call-focused reviews for clear voice pickup and background rejection.

The integrated microphone system is generally clear and usable, with reviewers praising voice clarity and detail for calls.

Fit is generally secure and seal-friendly, helped by the ovoid nozzle, ear tips, and stability bands, though individual ear shape still matters.

Eartip fit is highly personal: several reviewers achieved a secure, comfortable seal, while others experienced popping out or poor fit.

Call microphone quality is mixed: some reviewers call it exceptional or much improved, while others say it is merely fine or still affected by noise.

Call microphone quality is generally good, with reviewers hearing clear calls and intelligible voice pickup, though not always perfect.

Build quality is described as premium for the earbuds themselves, even when the case does not always feel equally high-end.

Build quality was directly praised by one reviewer, who said both the case and earbuds felt great and flagship-like.

Spatial audio is divisive: some reviewers find it natural, cool, or useful, while others prefer standard stereo or dislike the processing.

Spatial audio is polarized, ranging from underwhelming in one review to immersive, excellent, and wide in several others.

Bass is generally rich, punchy, and deep, but some reviewers think Bose overboosts the low end or gives it too much emphasis for neutral listening.

Bass is usually described as controlled, deep, and impactful, especially after personalization, but a few reviewers found default or customized bass either light or too boosted.

Charging is a notable upgrade thanks to wireless charging and case improvements, although one running-focused review found quick charging slower than ideal.

Charging is mixed: reviewers praised fast, wireless, and USB-C charging, but one reported the wireless-charged case getting extremely hot.

Cross-platform use is positive, with reviewers recommending Bose for both Android and iPhone users and reporting smooth use on both platforms.

Multi-platform compatibility was positively tested in one review through automatic switching between a tablet and phone.

Maximum-volume clarity is strong in the running review, which heard clarity and no distortion even when volume was raised.

Maximum-volume clarity is a strong point, with reviewers praising clean output, crystal clarity, and low distortion even at high volume.

Value depends heavily on priorities: reviewers see the premium price as justified for ANC and sound, but weak for Gen 1 owners or bargain-focused buyers.

Value depends heavily on price: reviewers criticized the original premium cost, but sale pricing and sound quality made it compelling for several.

Portability is mixed because the earbuds and case are pocketable, but the case is often called large or hard to carry while running.

Portability is mixed because some reviewers found the case pocketable, while others called the case bulky and the earbuds themselves large.

Stability is mostly excellent, especially for running and workouts, but one reviewer still disliked the running feel and movement.

Stability is generally good when the right tips or wings are used, with reviewers praising secure fit and reduced fall-out risk.

Treble is often described as clear, sparkly, or balanced, but measurement-focused reviews say it can be overemphasized or occasionally hard to fix with EQ.

Treble is mostly clear and energetic, with praise for sparkle and highs, but some reviewers noted brightness, tame extension, tinny highs, or slight grain depending on profile.

Soundstage depth is praised in orchestral and spacious listening comments, though evidence is less extensive than for overall sound quality.

Soundstage depth and immersion are generally strong, with reviewers describing holographic space, a bubble of music, and studio-like presence.

Instrument separation is widely praised, with reviewers hearing open mixes, distinct sections, and easy-to-pick-out track elements.

Instrument separation is a consistent positive, with reviewers hearing clean layering, distinct elements, and better separation after calibration.

Passive isolation benefits from a tight seal and secure nozzle shape, with reviewers noting strong sealing and little noise bleed.

Passive isolation benefits from the seal, foam tips, and fit options, with reviewers describing a solid seal and better noise isolation.

Soundstage width is praised for an open, wide, detailed presentation that helps mixes feel bigger than typical earbuds.

Soundstage width earns broad praise, with multiple reviewers describing wide, open, spacious, or expansive presentation from earbuds.

Microphone noise reduction ranges from excellent SpeechClarity performance to weaker lab samples, but the overall reviewer consensus is improved and often strong.

Microphone noise reduction is solid overall, with reviewers noting wind and background-noise handling that keeps voice usable.

Water and sweat resistance is considered sufficient for workouts and light rain, though not fully waterproof.

Water and sweat resistance is viewed as adequate for light workouts, sweat, and light rain, but no reviewer treated it as rugged waterproofing.

Sound quality is broadly strong, with rich, detailed, bass-forward playback praised by most reviewers, though a few disliked the stock tuning.

Sound quality is the clearest strength overall: most reviewers praised clean, spacious, detailed audio, though one lab-focused review was sharply negative before firmware/tuning changes.

Lossless support through aptX Lossless/Snapdragon Sound is treated as a useful premium feature for compatible devices.

Lossless audio support is appreciated and sounds crisp to some reviewers, but its benefit depends on compatible devices and is not always transformative.

Volume output is strong in the one direct measurement-style review, which says Bose makes loud earbuds.

Volume output is strong, with reviewers calling the earbuds louder than most, not shy about volume, and clear across lower and higher volumes.

Bluetooth reliability is mostly positive, with several reviewers reporting no dropouts, though one reviewer wished Bose had moved beyond Bluetooth 5.3.

Bluetooth reliability is mostly positive, including quick connection and smooth switching, though a few reviewers reported stutter, slow app connection, or connectivity issues.

aptX Lossless/Snapdragon Sound support is viewed as a useful premium codec feature for compatible devices.

aptX support is valued, especially aptX Lossless, but reviewers warn that Snapdragon Sound compatibility remains niche.

Included fit accessories are appreciated when they help tailor the fit, though other reviews still wanted more size options.

Included accessories are a positive because reviewers appreciated the supplied fit options, wings, and foam tips.

The included cable drew a minor complaint because PCMag wanted a longer USB-C-to-USB-C cable.

Several runners or active users noticed footstep thud or earbud movement noise, especially during runs or with sweaty ears.

Independent left/right bud use was praised in one review because either earbud could play alone while the other charged.

LDAC is a weakness because multiple reviewers explicitly note that the earbuds do not support it or that LDAC competitors are easier for Android users.

Sensor behavior is a weak spot in the few comments available, with reviewers criticizing early CustomTune firing and suggesting in-ear detection be disabled.

Smudge resistance was only directly assessed once, with the reviewer noting minimal fingerprints on the case.

Sound leakage is rated positively in the one direct test, with the reviewer reporting little outside noise bleed.

Voice assistant integration gets limited but positive evidence, with reviewers saying Google Assistant or assistant shortcuts worked without hassle.