I got to try both balls today on a sport pattern. I started out my first game with my OOB Brunswick Massive Damage and a Lane #1 Gold Nugget (PK17 cover at 800 grit + secret sauce) just to get a feel for the lane and neither ball could handle the oil. The Nexus solid, however, cut through the oil with ease and was incredibly strong! I can see why everyone is impressed with this ball. It read the mids so well and had great carry. For a stroker like me this ball is all I would need for heavy oil. It kicks butt.
I used the solid for two games and watched this guy next to me killing it with the pearl. He was a cranker and was making it go wall-to-wall, strike after strike. I've never seen a Brunswick ball move like that. In fact, I haven't seen a lot of balls move like that.
So I was excited to try the pearl. I ended up moving 8 boards right on the approach and jumping from the third arrow to the second to get a good line to the pocket. But in the end I was not impressed with the pearl. It didn't have the carry of the solid for me and just sort of limped down the lane. I just couldn't make it move.
So I ended up moving forward on the approach and three boards left and watched the Massive Damage destroy the rack. What an underrated ball.
I highly recommend the Nexus solid and if you have the hand for it, the pearl too!