Surface Earbuds Microphone Quality Question

Hi MatthewDodwell,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Community and posting your inquiry.   

We suggest the methods below to troubleshoot:

• Run the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit and check for Windows update.

• Change the playback device of your Surface Laptop 2. Look for the speaker logo > Try changing to a different sound set up.

• Try going to search box > Search Sound > Highlight Speakers, click on Properties > Enhancements > Check the box that says "Disable all sound effects."

• Reset your Surface Earbuds.

Additionally, we suggest the checking the methods on the article, Troubleshoot Surface sound and audio accessories.

Thank you for your feedback, but I already tried this to no avail.

I am curious for other customers' feedback on the Surface Buds as I really like the Surface Headphones 2, but the Buds feel a complete letdown.

Mine give an echo...and where is the MUTE BUTTON?

TEAMS certified devices (these Surface Earbuds) do NOT have a mute button for calls. Although Earbuds are nice for mobility, you'll need to carry around your laptop if you need the mute button during a meeting. Think working from home with children, dogs, spouse, cat, parents, lawn mower, making coffee for a few examples.

And then there is the volume across Microsoft Services and Devices in general. For example, lets say you have a Surface Laptop, Surface Earbuds and are using TEAMS for a conference call...it is as if three companies are trying to take over the OS. Why must I figure out HOW to control volume depending upon what I am using for the meeting?

Also, the earbuds seem to reset at each call to HIGH volume - which is painful.

The Surface Headset is also challenging. For examples, I cannot use if the microwave is running or near a portable AC without a sound similar to a fire-alarm blaring into my ears. Super painful! Is that because of the same frequency?

And why so many volume options that do NOT work? For TEAMS I find I need to go to Control Panel, Settings, Sound, Scroll down past Master Volume to ADVANCED SOUND and fix volume for the specific TEAMS call. I've not been able to use Master Volume, Volume controls on your desktop toolbar, or Sound Settings. They don't seem to work.

When you add the Earbuds - it can be more tricky and swipe does not work well with TEAMS...it does with music.

Then there are general maintenance/updates that need to be installed outside of the "Check for Updates" for the OS. For Surface Headset and Earbuds, install the Surface Audio App to get updates.

I agree with your assessment and statement. I can't find any solution to the poor audio quality when using the earbuds for phone calls. On EVERY call I've received so far, the caller has said that I sound like I'm on the other side of the globe. What is going on here? Why is the sound quality so poor that I can't use the earbuds for conversation when talking is promoted as a function of the earbuds?

I agree with your assessment and statement. I can't find any solution to the poor audio quality when using the earbuds for phone calls. On EVERY call I've received so far, the caller has said that I sound like I'm on the other side of the globe. What is going on here? Why is the sound quality so poor that I can't use the earbuds for conversation when talking is promoted as a function of the earbuds? 

 My experience is that it is a Bluetooth problem. If you can, try to make a test call on Skype and verify the quality. I had another Bluetooth headphones with microphone (mPOW Cheetahs) that gave even worse quality during a phone call.  On my Surface Pro X in situations of bad quality a restart of computer helps. Besides, your microphone is in the buds, far from your mouth!