Surface Headphones 2chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Users consistently rank the physical dial controls as the best in the category, preferring them over touch-sensitive panels on Sony and Bose headphones that misfire or react to temperature. This tactile design is cited as a major reason people stick with or switch to these headphones.

@shafiulalam6411

got these in november and honestly they were amazing. Noise cancelling and sound quality were both great. Unfortunately the rubber material on the headband came apart after less than 6 months and after a quick look online this is a really common issue. I refunded and got the Sony XM4 instead. I honestly prefer the usability of the surface headphones. Those dials are so handy. Whilst the sony ANC and audio is better, the touch controls are so temperamental. The sad thing is that designing the headband to not come apart is such a simple thing to do but they didnt do itlaunch

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June 10, 2022

@chrishoward574

I have these right now. \nThe design with the physical engagement along with touch controls might be the best thing going for these. I had high hopes for the ambient mode as that is important to me and I seem to be getting very clear pass thru on my left earcup but little to nothing on my right earcup. I've tried a factory reset and a full charge and reconnect Bluetooth and this has not changed. \n\nThe sound is ok bit dull by comparison to Sony's and Soundcore 3 Pros. \n\nI think the ANC is almost nonexistent here. I do love the dial adjustment but they need to update the ANC capability here. \n\nI also noticed a change in music quality when switching bt ambient and ANC. \n\nThe mics seemed good. I noticed great cancellation in front of my tv, refrigerator, and bathroom fan. \n\nBack to my first point. The design is the best thing going here with with touch and physical control. \n\nMic quality is 2nd. \nI actually wish these mics could be put on my xm1004's for better call quality.launch

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December 9, 2021

@MRawesome202

i am completely with you on the touch sensitive controls, thats the main reason why i had to get rid of my sony wh1000x3's because the touch pad controls didnt work well and were sensitive to temperature changes to a point where when i wore them outside in the fall they were constantly pausing/skipping songs.\n\n idk why so many newer headphones are like this, i guess it looks \"slick\" but my favorite bluetooth headphones are still the bose qc35 ii's and they are all physical controls, and my favorite part of the microsoft ones is there buttery smooth mechanical dials.\n\n i would love to wake up tomorrow and find out that the sony wh1000x4's are announced and they are just covered in dials and buttons.launch

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July 21, 2020

@Jackaldraws

I loved the first gen one, but 350 was a no go. Now that its 250 instead, honestly its a no brainer. The controls are the best on the market, the build quality is phenomenal, and the comfort is great. Obviously its not as good as the Sonys, but I don't think that 100 dollars justify a very minimal upgrade.launch

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May 23, 2020

Commenters see the lower $250 price as a major selling point, undercutting Sony's XM3 by roughly $100 with only a minor sacrifice in sound quality. Several call it a 'no brainer' purchase at this price.

@Jackaldraws

I loved the first gen one, but 350 was a no go. Now that its 250 instead, honestly its a no brainer. The controls are the best on the market, the build quality is phenomenal, and the comfort is great. Obviously its not as good as the Sonys, but I don't think that 100 dollars justify a very minimal upgrade.launch

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May 23, 2020

@filip9587

Considering the price and the wheels, they're the best overhead headphones out there, and they cone in matte black, so that's a win!launch

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May 23, 2020

@tapiture3720

Wow at $250 they’re gonna push a lot of these, that’s a good pricelaunch

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May 20, 2020

@pneumonoultramicroscopicsi4065

The Microsoft headphones are a better deal imo since they're 100 dollars cheaper and have many features the sony one doesn't have, a small sacrifice in sound quality isn't so bad.launch

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May 20, 2020

Multiple users report wearing the headphones for 5-6 hours a day or all day at work without discomfort, despite initial worries about weight. Build quality and cushioning are praised alongside comfort.

@RayMedina

Great review and video! While I agree that the earbuds are not the best out there, to me it’s all about the environment and use case... I personally bought them to be used paired with my surface and to be in the office (voip, video calls, conference calls), I can wear them all day and it blocks the background noise pretty good.. (not my background noise, but the people I’m talking to). I took a video call while seating at a car dealership’s waiting room and besides the visual of where I was, they couldn’t hear the noice behind me and trust me, it was loud! ... Again, I only use them for work purpose, if I want to work out, I use my AirPods or other headphones.launch

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September 3, 2020

@InimitaPaul

Listening to you on them now. They’re good, not great. The multi device support is patchy, that’s being kind and they refuse to pair with my APTX BT transmitter. As for weight, don’t worry about it, it’s nothing. I’ve been wearing them for 5-6 hours a day for the last few days and they’re very comfortable. The case is big, but thin. The touch panels on the side are a pain, easily touched when adjusting volume etc, very annoying. Easily solved with the app by turning them off but then you lose all the functionality. The equaliser is great and makes them very personal to what you’re listening to, unfortunately you have to use the app to change to another preset and it takes far to long not to be a pain. They’re just about worth the new lower price imo, I’m happy but def not blown away.launch

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June 9, 2020

@Jackaldraws

I loved the first gen one, but 350 was a no go. Now that its 250 instead, honestly its a no brainer. The controls are the best on the market, the build quality is phenomenal, and the comfort is great. Obviously its not as good as the Sonys, but I don't think that 100 dollars justify a very minimal upgrade.launch

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May 23, 2020

Reviewers highlight surprisingly good microphone performance and effective background-noise blocking during calls, useful for conference and VoIP use in noisy environments. One commenter says the mics alone made them reconsider switching to Sony.

@chrishoward574

I have these right now. \nThe design with the physical engagement along with touch controls might be the best thing going for these. I had high hopes for the ambient mode as that is important to me and I seem to be getting very clear pass thru on my left earcup but little to nothing on my right earcup. I've tried a factory reset and a full charge and reconnect Bluetooth and this has not changed. \n\nThe sound is ok bit dull by comparison to Sony's and Soundcore 3 Pros. \n\nI think the ANC is almost nonexistent here. I do love the dial adjustment but they need to update the ANC capability here. \n\nI also noticed a change in music quality when switching bt ambient and ANC. \n\nThe mics seemed good. I noticed great cancellation in front of my tv, refrigerator, and bathroom fan. \n\nBack to my first point. The design is the best thing going here with with touch and physical control. \n\nMic quality is 2nd. \nI actually wish these mics could be put on my xm1004's for better call quality.launch

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December 9, 2021

@RayMedina

Great review and video! While I agree that the earbuds are not the best out there, to me it’s all about the environment and use case... I personally bought them to be used paired with my surface and to be in the office (voip, video calls, conference calls), I can wear them all day and it blocks the background noise pretty good.. (not my background noise, but the people I’m talking to). I took a video call while seating at a car dealership’s waiting room and besides the visual of where I was, they couldn’t hear the noice behind me and trust me, it was loud! ... Again, I only use them for work purpose, if I want to work out, I use my AirPods or other headphones.launch

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September 3, 2020

@aayupanday

7:15 \nIf that's how the mics on this headphone are gonna sound then imma ditch them XM3s...launch

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May 21, 2020

Users like being able to pair phone, work phone, and laptop and switch between them without manual reconnecting, with several noting it works more smoothly than Bose 700 and that Sony XM3 lacks the feature entirely.

@GiovannyOlivares

I just ordered these headphones on Friday and will be delivered this coming Wednesday. I'm not an audiophile and don't need perfect sound, I just want something with good anc and sound. But the biggest selling point for me was the multipoint ability. I have my personal phone, work phone, and work laptop that I want to use with the headphones and knowing I can switch devices easily without having to connect/disconnect every time I want to use it on a different device is a big win for me.launch

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July 19, 2020

@00SNIVY00

Damn, that smooth transition between devices seems incredible!! I don't get that from my Bose 700s. It's still nice that I'm able to connect multiple devices at least, but it's still there. I've heard the Sony WH1000XM3s don't have that multiple device connections. It's a really solid lineup, and I would honestly go for any of the 3. The Surface Headphones definitely have price and sleekness on their side; minimalist ish design with the subtle rings and touch design. The Bose 700s look pretty nice and I like their sound. The noise cancelling on them is pretty good too. I really love the Sony's ambient noise control, it's so easy to just place your hand on the headphones to speak, no buttons to press or anything. I think the dealbreaker might've been the multi-device connection, the case option (I like just folding them flat for the thinner case, and I got the 700s charging case too) and the color choices. I got the 700s in the soapstone color.launch

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May 27, 2020

@SKBreakDaRules

2:57 unlike the Sonys, you can charge Surface headphones AND listen over Bluetooth at the same time!launch

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May 20, 2020

The companion app's equalizer is praised for letting users personalize sound to their liking, with one commenter noting competitors like the Bose 700 lack this feature entirely.

@jctcaj

Microsoft says bluetooth 5 along with several other reviewers and by the way I just bought these and think they are great. Replacing the bose qc35 ii and the sound is to me much better and love the controls and more comfortable than the bose and the ANC on the surface don't aggravate my ears like the Bose. Have to say I listened to his music demonstration on my surface headphones and also on my bose and the tests sound nothing like the actual, the surface sound great with great bass and can adjust on the app equalizer. I still cannot believe that the bose doesn't have an equalizer there is no excuse for that.launch

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August 27, 2020

@InimitaPaul

Listening to you on them now. They’re good, not great. The multi device support is patchy, that’s being kind and they refuse to pair with my APTX BT transmitter. As for weight, don’t worry about it, it’s nothing. I’ve been wearing them for 5-6 hours a day for the last few days and they’re very comfortable. The case is big, but thin. The touch panels on the side are a pain, easily touched when adjusting volume etc, very annoying. Easily solved with the app by turning them off but then you lose all the functionality. The equaliser is great and makes them very personal to what you’re listening to, unfortunately you have to use the app to change to another preset and it takes far to long not to be a pain. They’re just about worth the new lower price imo, I’m happy but def not blown away.launch

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June 9, 2020

Unlike the Sony XM3, these headphones can be charged while still being used over Bluetooth, a small but appreciated practical advantage noted by a commenter.

@SKBreakDaRules

2:57 unlike the Sonys, you can charge Surface headphones AND listen over Bluetooth at the same time!launch

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May 20, 2020