Hissing noise with new Microsoft Surface Earbuds

Question

I'm an early adopter - got them on the day of release.

There appears to be a glaring issue, and I wonder whether they're particular to only my pair.

Basically, whenever there is about to be sound played - such as unlocking of the phone, start of a phone call or music, white noise hissing appears, sometimes with a "pop" and then lasts about 2-3 seconds after the sound stops. Even if no sound is played, quick locking or unlocking of the phone results in a 3 second noticeable white noise hissing sound.

Please advise. Does anyone else experience this issue?

Answer 1

Received response from Microsoft Customer Service:

I hope this message finds you well. Finally, I received an update from best Microsoft Engineers. We confirmed that When audio is stopped you will hear 1-2 seconds of white noise followed by a low volume clicking noise.  This occurs as the amplifier built into Surface Earbuds turns off.  This does not effect the functionality of your Surface Earbuds and is expected. Replacement wont help either because this symptom will occur on all Earbuds.

Best regards,

Ricky

So it looks like they are hissing by design! That is not acceptable for a brand new product - especially given that my 4 year old Bose SoundSport Wireless and the new Google Pixel Buds do not have this issue. Clearly it is possible to design headphones without a constant hiss from the amp.

I am very disappointed and will be returning the product.

They seem to think its only when audio is started or stopped but listening at a low level the hiss is still audible. Surely that is not by design on headphones that are meant to be used when presenting to people (as shown in their advertising for this product). I hope we can get a better response than what you received from support. I will also reach out that way and link this thread.

Answer 2

Hi Jerry, 

I got constant white noise listening to audiobooks on Android (it's annoying). Is there a solution for my problem? Or do I have to go for a replacement?  

I got a Motorola p8 power. 

Whit music I don't notice the white noise, I guess it is there? 

I also got the connection pop on/out hissing but I don't care about that. 

Loving the the fit (they never fall out), the looks (Shrek buds do my children call it😂) and the controls and overall sound quality. 

Regards 

Gert

Im having the same issue as Gert. The hissing doesnt ever stop once sound starts playing, you can notice it if you turn music way down. I don't want this thread to die i really like these earbuds but this issue needs to be fixed.

Answer 3

Received response from Microsoft Customer Service:

I hope this message finds you well. Finally, I received an update from best Microsoft Engineers. We confirmed that When audio is stopped you will hear 1-2 seconds of white noise followed by a low volume clicking noise.  This occurs as the amplifier built into Surface Earbuds turns off.  This does not effect the functionality of your Surface Earbuds and is expected. Replacement wont help either because this symptom will occur on all Earbuds.

Best regards,

Ricky

So it looks like they are hissing by design! That is not acceptable for a brand new product - especially given that my 4 year old Bose SoundSport Wireless and the new Google Pixel Buds do not have this issue. Clearly it is possible to design headphones without a constant hiss from the amp.

I am very disappointed and will be returning the product.

Answer 4

I'm running 3.0.0.5 on a pixel 4 running Android 10 and I'm getting the same thing.

I can try them on my MacBook and do a factory reset this morning.

Really a bummer because I love the design, the case is very convenient. Hopefully this gets resolved or i might have to return them

Resetting them had to effect.

I connected them to my MacBook (i know, I'm using surface earbuds with an apple product) and they did the exact same thing.

What's the plan to fix this? This is real bad

Answer 5

I'm running 3.0.0.5 on a pixel 4 running Android 10 and I'm getting the same thing.

I can try them on my MacBook and do a factory reset this morning.

Really a bummer because I love the design, the case is very convenient. Hopefully this gets resolved or i might have to return them