Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 review - Top-notch sound, stand-out style - Android
Major companies are staking their claims to the audio market almost everywhere you look. Whether it’s new wireless earbuds or noise-cancelling headphones, everyone wants in. Some fail, but others like the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 hit on something special. Find out what we love and what can be improved for the next generation right here in our Surface Headphones 2 review.
Many high-end headphones come with carrying cases, and most times they’re not even worth noting. However, Microsoft’s new Surface Headphones 2 is an exception to the rule. The included carrying case sports a slim profile and hardshell exterior that’s easy to slip in and out of my backpack.
You’ll have to fold the ear cups flat to slip them into the case, or you can wear them around your neck when not in use. Unfortunately, you won’t find any folding hinges, so you can’t make your headphones all that small if you’re cramped for space.
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Other than that one update, these new cans are essentially indistinguishable from the first generation. They sport the same sleek design with blank sides and a monochrome finish. While Bose’s Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are sleek in their own right, I see the Surface Headphones 2 as my preferred pair of the future.
Stylish looks aren’t the only draw of Microsoft’s new headphones though. These cans are seriously comfortable. I wore them all day without feeling like my ears needed a break. Unfortunately, they don’t exactly breathe well. We reviewed our pair in the middle of summer, but I’d happily suffer some sweat for the rest of the experience. There might be more comfortable pairs out there, but these are my favorite because of how they minimize ear fatigue.
See also: Best noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds
If I have to find one complaint with wearing the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2, it’s the material on the bottom of the headband. Instead of choosing the same memory foam material as the ear cups, Microsoft went for a grippy rubber that tended to pull my hair when it moved. This is similar to what’s used with the Beats Solo Pro. It’s more annoying than painful, and it’s a small price to pay to keep the headphones in place.
Both ear cups are touch-sensitive. They feature rotating rings around the edges for more complete control. You can control playback with a single tap, while a double- or triple-tap on either side skips between songs. If you tap and hold, you can activate your voice assistant, and rotating the right ring adjusts the volume. The left ring controls noise-cancelling.
I ran into an issue where accidental contact often paused my music when I didn’t mean to, but that’s not a problem exclusive to Microsoft’s headset. Just like the original Surface Headphones, this version packs 13 levels of noise-cancelling. Low levels even rely on microphones so you can hear the world without taking them off.
You can pair the Surface Headphones 2 with or without the Surface Audio app, but I’d recommend the download for the step-by-step walkthrough. It also provides extra features once you’re set-up, but more on that later.
Microsoft includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired playback.
You can also pair the old fashioned way by holding down the power button for five seconds until you hear a voice prompt. Then head to your phone’s Bluetooth settings like you would with other headphones. You can also plug in a trusty audio cable if you’d rather not rely on Bluetooth at all.
If you’re running into problems with your Surface Headphones 2 or you just need to pass them off to a friend, factory resetting them is pretty simple. There are two ways to do it. The first is as simple as holding the power button down for 20 seconds until you hear a voice prompt.
The other way to get the job done is with the Surface Audio app. You’ll have to hit the gear icon next to your headphones to open the settings menu. Then scroll to the bottom and select the Factory Reset option.
Aside from pairing your headphones, you’ll need the Surface Audio app for a few bonus features and customization options. You can rename your cans, check for software and firmware updates, adjust your noise-cancelling, and choose from a few EQ presets. None of these features are life or death, but they’re appreciated when you pay for premium headphones.
The new Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 rely on Bluetooth 5.0 firmware and support aptX and SBC. This means that iPhone users can’t stream high-quality audio from their phones to the Surface Headphones 2 without the cable and a dongle. Regardless, this is a big improvement, particularly for Android users, because the original headset only supported Bluetooth 4.2 and skipped the high-end codecs.
Overall, the connection strength is pretty solid — I can’t recall a skip or stutter throughout my week of using Microsoft’s headset. These headphones also have the best multipoint setup I’ve ever seen. I paired them with both my phone and laptop and they switched between the two seamlessly. All I had to do was press play or pause on one, and the headphones did the rest.
However, you need to be running Windows 10 for all of the most advanced features according to the Windows website. I haven’t tested this on a Mac or on an older-generation Windows PC, but it’s something to keep in mind.
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