Microsoft has unveiled the new Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 – the successor to the original Surface Headphones. Even after two years of its launch, Microsoft doesn’t feel like the original Surface Headphones need much tuning; that is why there isn’t much that separates the two. If you loved its predecessor, Surface Headphones 2 is a better value for money, given that it comes with a few massive upgrades and a cheaper price tag. Nonetheless, let’s comprehend more about the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 along with its price and availability in Nepal right now.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 Overview
Design and Build
If we neglect the colors for a moment, the Surface Headphones and Surface Headphones look the same. Microsoft’s latest over-the-ear headphone comes with a new color option – Matte Black but that about it. Surface Headphones 2’s earcups are made up of memory foam and a sturdy arc holding everything in place. The cups are now cable of 180-degree rotations. Microsoft has included dials on both the right and left side that users can use to control volume and noise cancellation, respectively.
Performance and Connectivity
Surface Headphones 2 features the 40mm Free Edge sound driver. Though the sound driver is the same as in its predecessor, Microsoft claims Surface Headphones 2 possesses better sound quality. It comes with 13 levels of Active Noise Cancellation that you can adjust using the dial on the left ear. The company claims that the ANC has been specifically optimized for the human voice and that it can “drown out your family while working from home“.
Surface Headphones 2 does come with a 3.5mm headphone jack as well, but it also comes with Bluetooth support in case you want to go wireless. The Bluetooth technology has been upgraded to version 5.0. Microsoft has turned to Qualcomm’s aptX codec, which is much more effective at reducing latency than the standard SBC codec in the Surface Headphones.
- Check out the price of Sony WH-1000XM3 in Nepal.
Controls and Microsoft Perks
With the Surface Headphones 2, you won’t be short of control options. The power and the mute button are situated on the right side alongside the volume dial. The left side is reserved for the ANC dial. There are touch interfaces on both sides. Audio on the headphone also pauses when taken off and resumes when putting it back on.
You can use the dual mic set up for voice control, which is more useful while working with Microsoft 365. Users will be able to use voice dictation in Word and even control the slides in Powerpoint with Surface Headphones 2.
Battery Life
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 comes with an upgraded battery life of about 20 hours compared to 15 hours in its predecessor. Microsoft says that the headphones can achieve the number over Bluetooth transmission and with ANC turned on. So theoretically, we can expect to squeeze out a few extra hours with ANC turned off. A USB cable is included in the box, that can charge the headphones entirely in 2 hours. If you are in a hurry and don’t want to wait, a 5-min charge can add about an hour of playback time.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 Specifications
- Dimension: 8.03 (L) x 7.68 (W) x 1.89(D)-inches
- Weight: 0.64lbs
- Driver: 40mm Free Edge
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Sound Pressure Level Output:
– up to 115 dB (1kHz, 1Vrms via cable connector with power on)
– up to 115 dB (1kHz, 0dBFS over Bluetooth connection) - Noise cancellation:
– up to 30 dB for active noise cancellation
– up to 40 dB for passive noise cancellation - Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm headphone jack) / Wireless (Bluetooth 5.0)
- Controls: Power button, Mute Button, Volume Dial (Right ear), Noise Cancellation dial (left ear), touch control (both sides)
- Battery life: up to 20 hours (over Bluetooth with ANC on)
- Charging time: 2 hours (an hour of playback with 5 minutes of charging)
- Compatibility: Windows 10, iOS, Android, macOS
- Color Options: Light Gray, Matte Black
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 Price & Availability
The Surface Headphones 2 is now available for pre-orders through its official site, where its price is set at $249.99. Hence, we expect the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 to be available in Nepal for a price of around Rs. 35,000.
| Product Name | Price in Nepal [Expected] | Availability |
| Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 | $249.99 (Rs. 35,000) | May 12, 2020 |
Conclusion
Surface Headphones 2 may not be capable of dethroning Sony’s WH-1000XM3 as the best noise-canceling headphones but is still a solid headphone at its price range. The fact that it is priced cheaper than its predecessor makes it even more appealing.
