Microsoft’s Surface Headphones will arrive November 19 for $350
Now we know: You can pre-order them on November 15, and they’ll be available just four days later, on November 19.
I was able to try the headphones at the launch event. While I was impressed by the design, noise cancelling, and overall sound, I was a bit concerned about the quality of the Bluetooth audio transmission, given the lack of high resolution codecs like AptX, AAC or LDAC. These are offered in top competitors around the $350 price range, including the Bose QC35, Sony 1000XM3, and Bowers and Wilkins PX.
Microsoft said it could theoretically add such codecs via a firmware update, but in the meantime, I’m curious to see how Microsoft’s implementation of SBC – the standard Bluetooth audio codec – plays out in a more controlled setting.
For more of our early thoughts on the Surface headphones, check out our impressions here. If they’ve already piqued your interest, you’ll be able to pre-order them for $350 from the Microsoft store here.