Microsoft Surface Headphones Review: A Premium Set

The Microsoft Surface Headphones were purchased by us so that our expert reviewer could fully test it and evaluate them. Continue reading to see our complete product review.

It was somewhat surprising that Microsoft released a pair Surface Headphones late 2018. The line includes many computer peripherals, like the Surface Keyboards and Arc Mouse, but the release of a pair premium noise-canceling headphones at a high price point naturally placed the headphones under the competition of audio-centric brands. This is an enormous task for Microsoft.

For a few weeks we had the opportunity to try a pair in NYC. We can confirm that Microsoft put a lot of effort into look and feel. However, they do claim superior sound drivers. Unfortunately, our experience with their audio quality was a little disappointing. Let's see how this works.

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Design. This design is very unique and closely related to the other Surface lines.

The Surface headphones' most notable feature is the fact that they are comfortable. They have a sleek, modern look with the swoopy metal Microsoft logo headband. Each earcup measures 3.5" in diameter and has a spinning dial measuring 2.5 inches.

The circles make the headphones stand out to us because they are reminiscent of the Surface Dial (used in the premium Surface Studio products). We'll leave the functionality to that dial for another section. It's almost the same color throughout, the only difference being the materials used (matte or metallic) and the plush parts. The whole thing comes together beautifully.

They are slightly larger than some of their competitors and the soft bend of the headband to join the circles makes them look premium and sleek.

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Comfort: Although a bit heavy, it is very comfortable and forms-fitting

This price tag is a high one. The feelof an over-ear pair of headphones can often be where the majority of your money goes. Surface Headphones are a premium product. Each cup has ultra-soft memory foam padding, which is then covered by a leathery-feeling material. The same combination is extended to the crown of the headband, where it rests at the top of your head. Microsoft describes the Surface Headphones' balance, and we can confirm that it does feel quite even between your ears while wearing them.

However, we believe there are some drawbacks to this product that could cause wearers to stop listening for extended periods of time. The first is the heavy weight. Our scales measured them at 10.2 ounces. This makes it more than half a pound. Although this may not sound like much, it is a significant difference when you consider the Surface Headphones' weight compared to other headphones that weigh less than 10 ounces. In many cases, even nine.

This is combined with the strange feeling that our ears are being pressed against the mesh covering the cup drivers, making it difficult to imagine these headphones being comfortable during prolonged listening sessions. The soft material and comfort of the headband are sure to satisfy listeners immediately, however, long-term fatigue is possible.

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Build Quality and Durability: Premium and solid, but it's too early to know for certain

Microsoft did a great job by choosing premium plastics for the majority of their build and bracing weaker areas with metal bracing. For example, the twisting, articulated component holding the earcups feels solid. The adjustable band's metal bracing made them more resilient to bends. The curved controls for the ear cups feel satisfying and sturdy, even though they are twisted.

Although all signs are positive for solid construction, there is no advertised water resistance. The product was also only on the market for a very short time.

Sound Quality - Definitely usable but not the best in

A pair of headphones should have a premium, comfortable feel. But the most important thing is how they sound. You can be sure that you are purchasing the most high-quality headphones on the market if you spend more than $300. We can assure you that you will not be disappointed if you purchase the Surface Headphones. However, you may not be completely satisfied.

It's all there from a technical standpoint: 20kHz to 20kHz frequency coverage, upto 115 decibels of sound pressure levels via Bluetooth or wired, and 40mm drivers Microsoft calls Free Edge drivers. Although the Surface sounds great in theory, they are not that exceptional in reality.

The bass was substantial—as expected with 40mm drivers—and there was great dynamic response for full, pop mixes. The headphones had a lackluster sparkle at the top end which was a major problem for sound quality. This is a shame, as the extra weight suggests that Microsoft has spent considerable time developing driver technology. However, it didn't really wow us.

Noise Cancelling: Strong with some custom

The big selling point for the Surface Headphones—and the feature that Microsoft really hung their release on—is the ability to tailor the noise on these headphones to your exact specifications. Active noise-canceling headphones usually offer a binary option to indicate whether or not you are using NC technology. You will need to modify the volume within the accompanying app. Microsoft allows you to adjust the noise cancellation level on a sliding scale by turning the dial in the left earcup.

You can reverse the noise cancellation process and add ambient sound to your headphones, just like other headphones in this category. You can mix this sound using the left dial.

It can be thought of as a spectrum. If you turn it slightly forward (counterclockwise), you slowly mix in more noise cancellation. The opposite happens if you turn it backward (clockwise). This is a simple trick that works well for noise cancellation. It's not class-leading — Microsoft lists the specs at up to 30 dB of suppression with active canceling, and up to 40dB with passive — but the customization and the ease with which you can adjust the dial is virtually unmatched. This is a great addition to those who feel heavy-handed noise cancellation can be disorienting and has too negative an impact on sound.

Battery life: Not surprising, but there are some nice surprises during real-world tests.

Microsoft claims that the Surface Headphones can listen for 15 hours. This is quite disappointing, particularly when compared to other products that offer 20-30 hours battery life per charge. True wireless headphones with their batteries cases will last you 15 hours, but they have much smaller batteries.

It is okay to be conservative. We tested and got the complete 15 hour battery life even while listening to phone calls. Microsoft may have chosen to go with the truth, instead of listing the maximum 'ideal conditions" specifications that many manufacturers use. We would still love to have a little more juice. One silver lining is that fast charging is included. Microsoft claims it takes just five minutes to charge, earning you an additional hour of listening. Although it isn't the fastest, it's still nice to have it.

A nice feature is the reminder that the Surface Headphones have reached their battery life limit. It's in plain English and you will know when they need to recharge.

Controls: Simple and satisfying, almost no software integration

We would normally devote an entire section to the accompanying app for the headphones. However, given the price of the Surface Headphones, it was surprising that Microsoft did not release one. The Surface Headphones target Windows users, much like Apple's AirPods.

These will be able to pair with your Windows device using Microsoft's Swift Pair. This is almost the same way AirPods can pair with Apple devices. These headphones can be used as Bluetooth headphones without any app support. This is generally okay because there are no app support for the headphones. The right earcup also has a volume control and a gradual noise cancellation dial. You can also control the volume and play your music with touch controls. (Cortana comes standard in all headphones, however you can choose to use any other smart assistant). The Bluetooth pairing button is easy to use and toggles between pair and normal mode. This is one of our favorite packages of onboard controls.

Connectivity: Excellent, but not necessarily future-proof

These headphones are wirelessly connected and work well. In all of our testing, we found almost no interference or skippage in our apartment and outside. Microsoft chose Bluetooth 4.2 for this test, which seems a little odd considering that many headphones now use Bluetooth 5.0. While this is fine for most users, you will notice a decrease in range and stability.

A second glaring omission from Microsoft's marketing materials is that it has decided not to support audiophile-centric Bluetooth codescs such as AAC and AptX. According to marketing material, Microsoft spent time analyzing the waythese headphones use SBC protocols and has a little bit of polishing. SBC Bluetooth compression is the most low quality, meaning you won't have the best sound.

Cost: This feature set is a bit expensive.

The Microsoft Surface Headphones cost too much because they use older Bluetooth protocols and have a poor sound quality. They do seem like Microsoft has spent considerable time on the manufacturing and construction phases. We can assure everyone that the build quality, materials, and onboard controls will not disappoint.

We wanted a clearer and more crisp sound for the price. They aren’t compelling enough at $349.99. These are sure to be a hit if you love the design and your Surface Products.

Competiton: Struggling to lift their weight

The Bose QuietComfort 35s is the most popular Bluetooth headset choice for many shoppers. The QuietComfort 35s offer a comfortable zone of comfort that is comparable to the Surface Headphones. They have top-notch noise cancellation, Bose’s sometimes magical sound quality and a pleasing build. The Surface headphones have a lot more noise cancellation customization than the QuietComfort 35s, which might be a reason to consider them.

The WH-1000XM3 headphones by Sony are another contender. The WH-1000XM3 headphones from Sony are a great option. They offer a lot of features for the same price as Surface Headphones and, most importantly, they deliver sound. However, they lack some physical customization and a clunky control system. You will need to use an app on your smartphone to activate most features.

Specifications

• Product Name Surface Headphones
• Microsoft Product Brand
• Prices starting at $349.99
• Release date November 2018,
• Weight 10.2 oz.
• Product dimensions 8.03x768x2.25in
• Color: Light grey
• Battery life 15 hours
• Wireless or wired
• Wireless range 30 feet
• 1-year warranty
• Bluetooth Spec Bluetooth 4.2
• Audio Codecs SBC

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