RESUME A sound character that produces minimal listening fatigue, a design that provides comfort, and ANC by as much 13 positions together provide a pleasant experience that you can enjoy for a long time. We just miss that little bit of musical emotion that would complete the picture.

PLUS POINTS Price Comfort Build Quality Service MINUSES Missing musical emotion ANC cannot be turned off completely Battery life

Today’s technological innovations are hard to keep up with, because we seem to be making leaps and bounds every day. VR, AR, Motion control, flexible screens and 20191114160511 degrees sound, these are just a few examples from the world of audio and video. The big and sometimes slightly less big tech giants behind it really can’t go fast enough. From the maker who has been helping you for years with text files in Word, spreadsheats in Excel and your most ambitious PowerPoint presentations, we have now received the Surface Headphones 2. And no, the -s in the end is not a typo.

Laptops, smartphones, tablets and all-in-ones, Microsoft has been at the forefront of innovation for decades. Electronics for the head should not be missing. That the manufacturer also adheres to the business user will come as no surprise. What we do see is that, just like with Apple, a brand-specific ecosystem is emerging. And that Microsoft also supplies both the hardware and the software. Surface Headphones 2: a job well done We received a test sample from France where we received no less than 40 days. That should be enough. The reception, unpacking and getting hold of it promised a good experience. Everything exudes solidity and reliability. The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 seems (seem?) To be made of aluminum, plastic and (artificial) leather. The band for the over the head stands out. It is different in design than, say, a Bose or B&W. There is a bend upwards above the left and right unit. But something else also stands out. On the outside of both units we also see a beautifully milled ring. It gets even better, because that ring can turn. At the bottom we find the button for switching the Microsoft Surface headphone 2 on and off. There is also the port for USB-C charging and a 3.5 mm connection.

Microsoft likes to use beautiful marketing terms. For example, the Surface 2 is equipped with ‘Omnisonic sound’ for an ‘immersive experience’. What is more practical is the operation. This can be done with touch, but also by turning. That Microsoft is indeed looking forward to the business user who wants to get started undisturbed, becomes clear with the whopping 13 modes of active noise cancellation. And not 1, but 2 microphones for clarity during conversations. Should we also report voice control? Nice for at home, but not in public.

Comfortable with the capital letter C Every headphone is different again. What we see with the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2, as with the DALI IO6 by the way, are the round shapes of the earpads. Some people prefer the oval shape, while others prefer the round shape. The ear cushions are extremely comfortable and almost vacuum themselves against the head. Wearing glasses with the MS Surface 2 is therefore no problem. The cushions still seal well. The weight when carrying is fine. It is not so light that the feeling of wearing completely disappears, but it is absolutely not disturbing. We have been able to listen to music for quite a while, but a good two hours is no problem anyway.

On the inside of the headband is a kind of rubber / plastic strap. It is sensitive to fat. Especially if you are bald that is something to take into account. A cloth over it and it is clean, but this is something you would like to know in advance. To listen and use the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2, we link the iPhone and the HP laptop. It is therefore possible to link two devices. When turning on the Surface, we are greeted by a neat lady voice, who tells us the remaining battery time.

Pinch of more music The music turns on and the eyebrows are raised; in surprise. This is not what we expected. The music sounds subdued and reserved. This period of acclimatization does not last very long. Between 5 and 7 seconds later, the eardrums are used to it again and we can start listening. For convenience, we pack a regular Top 40 or 50 add a list, and we ‘just’ start listening. This gives us a little idea of ​​where the sound character lies. We now have quite a bit of comparison material â ???? the DALI IO6, B&W PX7 and the PX5 and the Nitro-X, for example. For the sake of completeness, we even have a Bose. This allows us to form a good picture of Microsoft’s strategy.

In terms of sound reproduction and musical experience, the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 comes across as reticent. As if he doesn’t give everything. The sound is reserved. In The Air Tonight â ???? Phil Collins, after building up all the tension, has the moment when emotion and feeling are released. And that moment is crucial to the musical emotion that is in the song. And that is exactly what is not well reflected. It doesn’t sound bad, not at all. The sound scores very well, but it just lacks that pinch of musical experience of, for example, the DALI or Bowers. The downside of the preserved character is that you can listen for hours without any form of listening fatigue. However, that is an important consideration that Microsoft has made. It also directly shows which audience Microsoft is targeting.

If we then use the ANC which is in 13 positions can be adjusted, start scanning by means of the rotating ring, then the puzzle pieces really stand out its place. The ANC is arguably the best in this price range. By combining this with a sound adjustment that results in hardly any listening fatigue, Microsoft focuses on long-term use. We also notice this in the comfort – the Surface 2 is great. Comfortable, not too heavy, and the build-up of heat is easily dissipated.

Final Verdict Microsoft has taken off the boxing glove and goes into battle with Bose. With the Surface Headphones 2, the computer giant focuses primarily on business and long-term users of wireless headphones with ANC. This strategy is confirmed by the sound character, comfort and variation in ANC â ???? although you can never completely turn off the latter. The build quality is better than that of the plastic Boses, and at this price it looks a bit like sprinkling sand in the eyes of this competitor. Depending on the use â € œbubbles for example consumes a little more energyâ €. we can get around the 16 hours ahead. That is slightly less than the competition, but much of that criticism is somewhat nuanced by the price. With a suggested retail price of 279 euro, Microsoft is clearly looking for a larger share of the market for wireless ANC headphones. For us, a pinch of musical emotion could really have been added.

Conclusion Microsoft is hungry for a bigger share of the ANC wireless headphones market. With the Surface Headphones 2, they clearly outshine the Bose. They target the business users. A sound character that produces hardly any listening fatigue, a design that offers comfort, and ANC with a whopping 13 modes together ensure a pleasant experience that you can enjoy for a long time. We just miss that little bit of musical emotion that would complete the picture.

Microsoft Surface Headphones 2

â ?? ¬ 279 | www.microsoft.nl

Rating: 4/5