First time with Microsoft's new Surface headsets

Along with three new Surface computers, Microsoft has also announced another mobile device, the new Surface Helmet. The $ 349 headphones are wireless in-ear wireless earbuds with integrated Cortana access and some other unique design tips. They will be shipped later this year.

At first glance, the Surface earbuds look a lot like the B & O Play cans in a minimalist design, with a full gray finish and metal inserts. They have 40mm drivers, an estimated battery life of 15 hours and an ability to automatically pause the music when you remove it from the head. Like many other wireless headsets, there are also touch controls on the right headset to pause music, skip tracks and answer calls.

Tom Warren / The Verge

But the rotating headphones on both headsets are the most interesting design feature with the Surface headset. The right one adjusts the volume, while the left one scrolls through the 13 different levels of active noise cancellation, allowing you to completely overwrite the external audio and hear your environment. Many piles of wireless stones only allow you to enable or disable noise suppression, while others do not even allow it. So it's a unique and really great feature of Microsoft.

For Cortana, you have to press long on the headphones, or you can say "Hey Cortana" for the wizard to display on your PC or smartphone. You can then dictate a command or a question and Cortana will answer you in the headphones.

In terms of comfort, the headphones have a dense padding of memory foam and large cups that completely cover my ears. The adjustable headband also has a small amount of padding, but we will have to see how much longer-term comfort is comparable to what we got once we had the opportunity to look at it.

Tom Warren / The Verge

The sound signature of the headset is very similar to other consumer wireless headsets. Therefore, if you know the Beats or B & O Play headphones in this price range, you can expect something similar. The bass is strong and punchy, and the presence is good, but you will not get the twinkling highs or enveloping sound scenes that are common to audiophile headphones. Due to my limited time with them, I have the feeling that most people will be very happy with the sound of the Surface headphones.

Nevertheless, the most compelling reason to get the headphones is the adjustable noise canceling feature, and I think that's reason enough to replace it with a Beats wireless headset or another wireless headset of the same price when it will be marketed later this year.