Microsoft introduced Surface Headphones on October 2, 2018, with 13 levels of ambient-noise control. For a team weighing them for calls or open offices, the more useful distinction is compatibility: Microsoft said the headphones were optimized for Surface but would pair with any Bluetooth-enabled device. These were the company's announcement-time claims, not independent performance tests. [S1]
Microsoft described eight microphones in total, including two beam-forming microphones on each ear cup, as part of a design intended to capture voices for calls. That gives buyers a concrete feature to check against their meeting setup, but the announcement does not establish measured call quality in a noisy office. [S1]
Microsoft said built-in voice-activated Cortana was available in the United States. It also said the headphones would be available in the U.S. and U.K. in time for the 2018 holidays. That was a planned release window, not confirmation of shipments or availability elsewhere. [S1]
Source documents
- Meet Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Studio 2 and Surface Headphoneshttps://blogs.windows.com/devices/2018/10/02/meet-surface-pro-6-surface-laptop-2-surface-studio-2-and-surface-headphones/