Pairing and Customization

From here on out, there is no discernible difference in whether I was using the black or white buds. Pairing either involves first putting them in the case and then taking them out, which is the way to initiate pairing mode. My phone unfortunately does not have Bluetooth 5.2, and you will find that basically nothing out there does. There is backwards compatibility, however, so I was able to use these with my phone on Bluetooth 5.0, my laptop on Bluetooth 5.1, and my PC with the Intel AX210 NIC on Bluetooth 5.2. Pairing is quite simple since it comes up as a new device. It is also here that we see that not much has changed as far as codec support goes, unfortunately, with Qualcomm aptX being the best option on most Android devices. I believe the dual antenna functionality with Bluetooth 5.2 will inherently add lower latency and potentially better battery life since the two earbuds do not need to communicate with each other anymore, but even there, you do not get any aptX HD or LDAC support. On iOS, it is just the AAC codec to go on.


One of the additions over the original is support for a first-party mobile app called Lypertek PureControl, available on both Android and iOS. It does seem like the app had an extremely poor start, with buggy interfaces and crashes galore. There was a recent firmware and app update, and based on both recent positive reviews and my own positive experience, a successful one. As long as your mobile device is connected to the PurePlay Z3 2.0, the app will automatically detect and add them to the list. The EQ setting is easy enough to use, and there are some preset options as well as the option to make your own curve using seven points ranging from 80 Hz to 10 kHz despite the buds being rated for 20 Hz to 20 kHz... Hmmmm!

There are a few other options on the home page, including a look at the integrated controls with the single tactile button in each bud and the means to change them, which are then saved on the earbuds themselves. The switchable "Hear Through" mode is actually very well done, making for a substantial decrease in isolation courtesy the integrated mics picking up and passing through environmental noise rather than decreasing it, by using a combination of Qualcomm cVc 8.0 (clear voice capture), echo cancellation, and noise suppression. Hitting "Find my Earbuds" does the same by reducing isolation and playing a sound that is more audible, as well as putting on an LED show alongside. The most interesting feature, at least to me, is Lypertek doing some form of software-based audio filtering called LDX (Lypertek Definition Expander) for an attempt at an "improved soundstage with added depth, increased definition and a greater sense of space." Take that with a grain of salt, but at least it is only an option, not a must.


I mentioned above how the app allows some basic customization over the earphones, but the integrated tactile button on each bud allows for some pre-programmed media playback and volume control based on double and triple clicks as seen above. Single clicks are reserved for play/pause and accepting an incoming call if paired to a phone, in addition to pulling up the phone smart assistant. The default configuration seemed just fine to me, and worked fine in practice, though it can be a bit jarring initially to find out that you need to press in harder than you think to have the clicks register. The manual also goes over the various LED colors and what they mean, especially for pairing and the charging status for each bud, and the case itself.