Matte or glossy: Are the Microsoft Surface Headphones in style?

The current trend in headphones is moving increasingly toward matte surfaces.

Matte designs are preferred because they offer an elegant, minimalist look, are less prone to fingerprints and scratches, and generally appear more durable. Many modern headphones—especially in the higher price segments, such as the Surface Headphones from Microsoft—are deliberately offered in matte colors like black or gray to promote a subtle and long-lasting aesthetic. The matte style reflects the desire for designs that are less flashy yet practical and stylish at the same time.

However, glossy surfaces remain popular among certain younger audiences and with brands like Beats, as they highlight vibrant colors and create a more eye-catching appearance. This appeals particularly to fashion-conscious users who see their headphones as a style statement.

At ULTRASONE, the trend is also moving toward matte finishes. Only special designer pieces are still allowed to shine. However, the choice of materials must be made carefully, because sensitivity to surface influences such as fingerprints can vary greatly—even with finishes that look almost identical.

My opinion on this:

Matte surfaces always have a certain elegance—but they can also hide imperfections in quality. Only a mirror-like surface truly reveals the real quality of a finish. Still, the trend is understandable and, when the right material is used, perfectly reasonable from a practical standpoint.

In the past, however, we have had some amusing—and sometimes frustrating—experiences with matte metallized surfaces. One finish was extremely easy to keep clean, while fingerprints were almost impossible to remove from another—even though both looked visually identical.

So the saying “not everything that glitters is gold” also applies to matte surfaces.

And there is one more major disadvantage of matte finishes:

They are completely useless as a makeup mirror for the ladies! 🎧😄