Microsoft has introduced an interesting new accessory for teleworkers. Microsoft Audio Dock aims to combine the practicality of a USB C dock with a speaker equipped with suitable microphones for audio calls and listening to music.
The Microsoft Audio Dock is an accessory for teleworkers that integrates connectivity adapted to digital uses as well as a speaker with several microphones. The idea is simple: to make life easier for users by providing an ideal tool for teleconferences while making it easy to connect the computer to the various peripherals.
This device is offered at the recommended price of 290 euros and can work in concert with Microsoft Teams thanks to a dedicated button. It also has a wide variety of connectors, to connect screens and peripherals, like any docking station worth its salt.
a clean design
The Microsoft Audio Dock does not stand out especially in terms of its design, which seems to be inspired by what Apple can offer in its HomePods. Interestingly, the device actually looks more like a speaker than a dock, which makes it ” forget its main function, once installed on the desktop.
The build is neat with a plastic assembly and mesh cloth cover, similar to the HomePods. A very discreet logo takes place at the base of the façade and thus reminds us that we are dealing with a Microsoft product. This Audio Dock is embellished with a bit of originality at its base with the presence of a flexible plastic gutter, which is intended to store the USB C cable connected to the device.
Despite what the documentation supplied with the product says, this gutter can also be used to pass through it any cable from our peripherals, and thus store them in a cleaner way. This very understated addition is especially welcome and brings a bit of practicality to the Audio Dock.
Like any good speaker worth its salt, the dock has some buttons, installed in its upper part. The fate of the product is beyond doubt with this imposing button emblazoned with the Microsoft Teams icon. A second button, the twin of the last one, is dedicated to muting the integrated microphones.
Finally, we take advantage of three additional buttons dedicated to volume and playback control. Called to be installed on the desktop and close to the user, these different buttons acquire all their meaning. They are wide enough to be operated without hesitation, even without looking at the docking station.
We regret that all connections have been relegated to the rear of the device. In fact, even if this adds to the speaker’s visual appeal, we’d like to take advantage of at least one or two USB ports on the front to connect the dongle a mouse, an SD card or charge a phone.
However, the Microsoft Audio Dock is still a well-built device, with a fairly neat design and overall compact size. It will easily find its place on most desktops while making it easy to use an intermittently installed laptop.
A somewhat poor connection
Microsoft has been a bit too reasonable when it comes to the connectors built into its Audio Dock. First up, there’s an HDMI 2.0 output capable of delivering a 4K 60Hz image that’s supported by a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port providing the same display via DSC.
A second USB-C port is also included for data transfer. Integrated USB-C cable is also supportedpower deliveryup to 60 W to guarantee the charge of the computer to which the base is connected. However, during our tests, our laptop always reported a slow charger, despite typical use of a 65W brick.
Finally, in addition to the power connector for which the power supply is provided, there is only one additional USB-A port. RJ45 socket for network or Display Port for displays more “modernAlthough it makes sense, the dock also has no audio input or output.
In short, Microsoft went to the essentials and did not seek to provide a very abundant connectivity. It is rather a shame for a product with a recommended price of almost 300 euros. Aside from network connectivity, we would have liked Thunderbolt support, for example.
Relatively limited functionality
As expected, the control buttons on top of the speaker are natively integrated with Windows. It is not necessary to dwell on the multimedia controls that work perfectly and thus allow us to manage the reproduction of our multimedia content at our fingertips.
The play/pause button can also be used in Microsoft Teams to answer or end a call. It is logically associated with the dedicated Teams button that offers relatively limited actions. By default, the latter’s sole purpose is to open the Microsoft Teams window and… that’s it. It also allows “raise your hand“, during a call on this same platform.
Similarly, the buttonmuteit works as expected by simply muting the pickup on the built-in microphones. Small subtlety: if the user’s microphone is muted during a call, a long press on this button activates it for a few seconds to speak. More restrictive than anything else, we don’t really use this feature…
In use, the speakerphone worked fine during our two weeks of testing, which included multiple meetings and calls each day. However, the good consideration of the latter has been capricious several times, notably because when a screen is connected to the HDMI port, it can also serve as an audio output. Sometimes we had to unplug and plug the base back in to get everything back to normal.
Convincing sound performance
Audio output
The sound performance delivered by the Microsoft Audio Dock is very correct given its compact format. Sound reproduction is more than sufficient for professional teleconference use. Even better, the device will work perfectly as an additional speaker for listening to music or watching videos.
For comparison, the built-in speakers offer much better sound than a Nest Mini can. The bass is much more present and the overall reproduction is livelier and more consistent. We also perfectly envision using the device to add sound to a small room like an office.
Microphone
The built-in microphone array provides good voice reproduction, but doesn’t brighten the distance effect sufficiently with the sound source. However, the speaker is still perfectly audible and understandable and none of our interlocutors complained during these few days of testing.
The only criticism that can be made of the device is that it must necessarily reduce the output volume when the user speaks into the microphone. Unlike a headset, you no longer hear other users when a sound is picked up by the microphone. It’s a small nicety that requires some adaptation time for users accustomed to wearing headphones.
Microsoft Audio Dock Pricing and Availability
The Microsoft Audio Dock docking station is available at the recommended price of 290 euros.