PaMu Slide Wireless Earbud Headphones - Lifestyle Audio Accessories Review

TYPICAL ACTIVE LIFESTYLE for some of Roadblazing.com staff is burning an entire 100 calories per day while two finger per hand pick pecking at a laptop keyboard.

TYPICAL ACTIVE LIFESTYLE for other Roadblazing.com staff is hitting the gym at 6:00 am for an hour's worth full weight workout including 320 pound bench pressing churning away a good 600 calories.

Regardless of the extent activity, the preference is to remain untethered while connected to the rest of the world. Unburdened by wireless handset or wired headset.

Electronics start-up, Padmate, offers consumers a more affordable wireless earbud headphone alternative.

Not content to have evaluated their last PaMu Scroll earbuds, Roadblazing staffers took to the gym and/ or  keyboard, sampling  Padmate's newest PaMu Slide Bluetooth earbud audio headphones.

IN THE BOX:

• PaMu Slide Bluetooth wireless earbud stereo headphones - 1 pr. Left and Right
• Cloth mesh slide-top dark matte finish USB-C earbud / fast charging case (available colors: black, white, green)
• USB-C to USB cable
• Rubberized earbud sleeves - 3 sizes
• Inductive wireless charging (optional)

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EARBUD SPECIFICATIONS:

• $49 USD - Introductory 30 day price starting May 28, 2019 then increasing to an M.S.R.P. of $199.00 USD
• Bluetooth version 5.0
• Bluetooth transmission range: < 10 m
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, Sensitivity: 97 dB, Impedance: 16 Ohms
• Earbud driver dimension: 6 mm
• Playback time: up to 10.0 hours, Talk time: up to 10.0 hours, Standby time: up to 60 hours
• Charge time: < 1 hour USB-C fast charging
• Charge capacities: earbuds = 85 mAh, charging case: 2000 mAh
• IPX6 moisture / splash resistance (surpassing PaMu Scroll)
• Dual microphone noise reduction
• Touch activation and control w/ phone call interruption
• Microphone for Siri and phone calls
• User manual w/ illustrative pictures
• Weight: (each earbud) 7.1 grams;
• Dimensions: (earbuds external) 19.5 x 26 x 37.5 mm LxWxH; (charging case): 72 x 72 x 38.5 mm

SET-UP:

• Connect Slide charging case to 110 V AC wall outlet via USB-C to USB electronic device input or 2-3 amp USB AC plug (not included)
• Push to slide charging case lid to open
• Insert Left and Right PaMu Slide earbuds into corresponding marked charging wells
• EZ magnetic docking
• 4 Blue LEDs indicate percentage of charge - Solid blue LED = charge percentage complete
• Remove earbuds from Slide charging case
• Activate Bluetooth on wireless source, then Search for Devices
• Locate PaMu in Device list, then Connect
• Insert PaMu earbuds into ears with microphone oriented lowest
• Check for fit in outer ear canal - select another of the 3 supplied earbud sleeves for improved fit

EARBUD CONTROLS:

• Left or Right earbud
  • One Click - Play / Pause, Answer phone call (in call mode)
  • Two Clicks - Decline phone call (in call mode)
• Left - Double Click for track advance
• Right - Double Click for Siri activation

AUDITION:

Wireless Audio Source: Samsung Galaxy S7 featuring Adapt Sound

Music Selections:

• "Gloria" - The Lumineers - presence of nine acoustic layers
• "Somebody Told Me" - The Killers - feel the dance pop big sound
• "Wrapped Around Your Finger" - The Police - island pop rock ebb & flow of Andy Summers effects plucking
• "Take a Chance on Me" - ABBA - guys harmonize disco rhythm for the girls
• "Fireball" - Pitbull - brassy horns meet Conga
• "Come Away With Me" - Norah Jones - down home brushed hi-hat, keys and saucy guitar punctuate poignantly mellow vocals

SOUND IMPRESSIONS:

• Spatial without forced presence
• Modest volume
• Distortion free
• Well of bass, crisp percussion
• Plucky strings
• -1 Brassy horns
• -1 Mid frequency vocal emphasis masks some highs

EARBUD USE IMPRESSIONS:

• Simple Bluetooth pairing
• Easy Unplug and Play use
• -1 Slightly heavier than the PaMu Slide earbud predecessor
• +/- Now on par sizewize with competition due to active noise cancellation
• Good earbud sleeve fitments
• -1 Earbud position adjustment accidentally triggers touch actions
• Decent ear comfort duration: 30 minutes
• Secure fit during vigorous Stairmaster workout
• Improved noise cancellation
• -1 Occasional Bluetooth disconnect
• -1 Occasional right earbud signal interruption

ROADBLAZING.COM VERDICT:

PROS:

• Rock bottom price (for now)
• Very listenable audio playback, easy to operate controls
• Impressive long playback time
• Low quick charge time < 50 min. = full charge
• Superior IPX6 sweat / moisture resistance
• Legitimate update to Padmate XA-13 wireless earbuds

CONS:

• Tricky to grasp charge case slide cover

Beginning June 5, 2019, interested consumers can take advantage of the $49.00 ($69 w/ inductive wireless device charger) introductory pricing for Padmate PaMu Slide Bluetooth earbuds via Indiegogo marketplace crowdfunding.

Padmate is also offering free giveaways at the Indiegogo marketplace.

****The manufacturer provided a courtesy sample of the product used in this review. Roadblazing.com makes no warranty representations other than those by the manufacturer.****

Contributing Editor: George Straton