Padmate started out in 2018 using crowdfunding via Indiegogo to release their first products. Three years and four successful crowdfunded models later, they have released the Padmate Pamu Z1 True Wireless earbuds into a very competitive category that is projected to reach into the tens of billions of dollars annually by 2027.
Padmate learned a lot from its previous models and the Z1 has all the features that today’s market demands with ANC, ambient mode, built-in EQ options, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, and nearly 6 hours of playback before needing a recharge.
There are two variants of the Padmate Pamu Z1; the full featured model and the Z1 Lite. The model reviewed here is the full-fledged Z1 but for those that don’t need active noise cancelling or inductive charging, the Z1 Lite will shave $20 from the price tag of the Z1. Not a huge savings, but enough to keep them competitive within the market of sub $100 wireless earbuds.
The Skinny & A Little Rant
One aspect of the Pamu experience really rubs me the wrong way and I think Padmate needs to dump it. I should not have to login and create an account to use a product. If you want me to register to validate the warranty, I’m ok with that but preventing the use of a purchased product until the user provides their email and creates an account is not acceptable.
Several of the TWS I have reviewed lately (Pamu included) are now requiring account creation before using the app and it needs to stop. People shouldn’t have to have their privacy invaded to use an earphone.
Both Padmate Pamu Z1 models share common shells and case; along with a 10mm dynamic driver using a Polyethylene film diaphragm with a titanium composite coating, Bluetooth 5.2 which supports SBC and AAC codecs, and the Pamu app that offers EQ options, firmware updates, and customization options.
The shells are a two-part affair with a dome that holds the driver and nozzle that sits inside the ear and a bar that holds the electronics and battery and sits outside the ear.
The Pamu Z1 are rather light and the overall fit was solid for me so movement while wearing the Z1 was never an issue. The design looks awkward but was one of very few IEMs that has fit me well out of the box with no tip rolling or tweaks required. It also very comfortable for long-term listening sessions.
The fit isn’t super tight as one might expect for something that stays put as well as it does. Padmate have seemingly managed to create a pair of true wireless earbuds with both a very good seal and a high level of comfort.
Both models share an IPX4 rating so use at the gym should be fine as long as they are not submerged. I’m not sure how they would fare with our EIC Ian White, who enjoys running through the surf of the Atlantic Ocean every morning as part of his “build back, leaner and better post-COVID” routine but I don’t think they would stop working exposed to the elements like that.
Battery life was a little over 5 hours with ANC on and slightly over 6 with ANC and ambient mode turned off. The charging case adds roughly 3 charge cycles so the set can go nearly 24 hours before needing a recharge of the case.
The full Pamu Z1 offers both USB Type-C and inductive charging while the lite version sacrifices the wireless charging. The USB charging was much quicker in my experience so I would probably stick with it, but the wireless option did work — just not as quickly as you would expect.
If you want to leave the Pamu Z1 in the car to be charged while driving, it will work but don’t expect a full charge between your driveway and the local Starbucks or Wawa.
When pairing the Z1 to a phone, download the Pamu app from the app store first as without the app only one ear or the other would pair and I would see Z1 and Z1 LE (left ear) in the available devices list. Once the app is installed, it is used to control the connection and both ears connected and worked as expected.
I found the touch controls worked well and the app offers the same control options for those who prefer that option. Once setup, the app can be ignored if desired but it is required to setup the initial connection between source and Z1 (see rant above).
With Apps Like Us, Baby We Were Born to Run
If you choose to use the app, the EQ options do change the signature with “Rock” having more bass emphasis, “Jazz” presenting everything with a tilted midrange, and “Pop” delivers more of a ‘V’ signature.
The ANC/ambient controls are simple to use but require some explanation. When in mode A, the Z1 can either be set to transparent (ambient) or ANC on. The ANC off button is disabled in mode A and has led some to comment that the app is broken.
In order to turn both ANC and the transparent mode off, one has to select mode B, and then click the ANC off button. The gaming mode enables low latency connection but unless watching movies using the source device it made little difference in my testing.
If you decide to not use the app, the touch controls on the earpieces themselves work well and with the wide flat surface are easy to operate. I also like the fact that the Padmate Pamu Z1 makes a clicking sound in your ear when it recognizes a touch.
With the delay between touch and response to the commands, it is way too easy on some models to hit volume up 9 times before it processes and you wind up yanking the earpieces out when the volume increase finally kicks in.
Sound
Regardless of how much one likes the touch controls or dislikes the app for forcing you to create a login, the real issue is how these true wireless earphones sound. This has to be broken down into three discussions; music with ANC disabled, ANC activated, and the quality of your phone calls.
The sound quality with ANC turned off is actually quite good; there is a moderate sub-bass lift and a slow decline in emphasis that runs through the mid-bass and lower midrange. From there, the signature flattens out and is linear from about 600Hz up to almost 9kHz with some minor little peaks and valleys along the way.
I found the midrange to posses above average resolution and presence and a respectable amount of detail. The treble had enough air to not feel closed in but didn’t get harsh either. Overall, it’s a solid tuning for a casual listening IEM.
With the ANC engaged, the story changes a bit. First off, the noise cancelling itself is about average for the class and does acceptably well with droning noises but fails with sharp noises or conversations where pitch modulates quickly.
There was also another issue that raised some concerns; a distinct veil that is added to the music and it’s not a great option. The ANC sucked the dynamics out of the music and I found myself quite disengaged from whichever album I streamed from my Samsung smartphone.
As for the phone quality, I had no trouble hearing others, but was asked repeatedly if I had the person on the other end of the line on a speakerphone as they almost universally struggled to hear me.
Conclusion
The Padmate Pamu Z1 are an above average sounding pair of true wireless earphones that unfortunately struggle in a few areas; the ANC needs a lot of work and the call quality is not exactly the best I’ve experienced so far having reviewed a few dozen TWS models over the past two years. It’s possible that Padmate will rectify some of the issues with a firmware update but my advice is to skip the Z1 and save some money with the less expensive Z1 Lite TWS earphones instead.
For more information: padmate-tech.com
Where to buy: $69 for Pamu Z1, $49 for Pamu Z1 Lite
