Turtle Beach knows hardware, and they’ve been consistently delivering quality audio peripherals that cater to both casual and hardcore gamers. Their latest iteration, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3, seeks to refine the successful formula of its predecessors. With promises of enhanced comfort, better audio quality, and an overall improved gaming experience, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 is poised to be a must-have accessory. In addition, the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 aims to carve out a niche with its blend of premium features and competitive pricing. Turtle Beach, a well-known name in gaming peripherals, has a reputation for delivering high-quality audio experiences. Both headsets offer budget-conscious options, with fantastic offerings with each of their own.
Stealth 600 Gen 3
First impressions matter, and the Stealth 600 Gen 3 makes a strong one right out of the box. The headset features a sleek, modern design that is both stylish and functional. Available in black or white, it sports a matte finish that feels premium without being overly flashy. The build quality is robust, with a reinforced headband and sturdy ear cups that suggest durability without sacrificing comfort.
One of the standout features is the ProSpecs glasses-friendly design. As someone who wears glasses, I often struggle to find headsets that don’t create uncomfortable pressure points during extended gaming sessions. Turtle Beach has cleverly addressed this issue with their patented ProSpecs design, which offers a more comfortable fit for glasses-wearers by incorporating a softer foam in the ear cushions where your glasses sit. After several hours of continuous use, I found the headset remained comfortable, a testament to its thoughtful ergonomics.
Audio quality is where the Stealth 600 Gen 3 truly shines. Equipped with 50mm nano drivers, the headset delivers a rich and immersive soundscape that enhances every gaming experience. Whether you’re sneaking through a post-apocalyptic wasteland or engaged in a frenetic multiplayer shooter, the audio fidelity is superb. The highs are crisp without being tinny, the mids are clear and present, and the lows offer a satisfying thump without drowning out other elements.
Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing feature deserves special mention. This mode amplifies subtle in-game sounds like enemy footsteps or weapon reloads, giving you a tactical advantage. While it may not be suitable for all gaming genres, it’s a game-changer in competitive shooters where audio cues can mean the difference between victory and defeat. During my time with titles like “Call of Duty: Warzone” and “Rainbow Six Siege,” Superhuman Hearing consistently provided that extra edge.
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 is designed with versatility in mind. It features a wireless connection via a USB transmitter, which provides a reliable and low-latency connection to your console or PC. The setup is virtually plug-and-play, making it accessible even for the less tech-savvy. With the push of a button, the headset syncs effortlessly with your device, offering a stable connection with minimal interference.
Compatibility is another strong suit of this headset. It’s officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S, but also works seamlessly with Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. This cross-platform compatibility is a boon for gamers who own multiple systems or are considering upgrading their hardware in the future. It ensures that the Stealth 600 Gen 3 remains a relevant and useful accessory across different gaming ecosystems.
Communication is key in multiplayer gaming, and the Stealth 600 Gen 3 excels in this area as well. The flip-to-mute microphone is both practical and effective. It offers clear voice transmission, making sure your teammates hear you without any distortion or background noise. The mic monitoring feature is another thoughtful addition, allowing you to hear your own voice in the headset to avoid shouting unintentionally.
The microphone’s flip-to-mute functionality is intuitive and satisfying to use. When not in use, it folds neatly into the headset, maintaining the sleek aesthetic and preventing any accidental activations. During testing, my voice came through loud and clear in various online lobbies, with friends noting a significant improvement over my previous headset.
Battery life is a critical factor for any wireless headset, and the Stealth 600 Gen 3 does not disappoint. Turtle Beach promises up to 80 hours of battery life on a single charge, and in my experience, this claim holds true. Even during marathon gaming sessions, I never found myself scrambling for the charging cable. The headset also features a convenient auto-shutdown function when not in use, helping to preserve battery life.
Charging is straightforward via a USB-C port, which is a welcome upgrade over the previous micro-USB standard. A full charge takes around two hours, but even a quick 15-minute charge can provide a few hours of playtime if you’re in a pinch.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 is a stellar addition to the brand’s lineup, offering a blend of comfort, superior audio quality, and practical features that cater to both casual and competitive gamers. Its robust build, thoughtful design elements like ProSpecs, and impressive sound quality make it a top contender in its price range. The Superhuman Hearing mode, versatile compatibility, and excellent battery life further solidify its standing as a must-have gaming accessory.
While no product is without its flaws, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 comes remarkably close to being the perfect gaming headset. Some users might prefer a detachable microphone or customizable RGB lighting, but these are minor quibbles in an otherwise exemplary package. For those in the market for a new headset that balances performance and value, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 is an easy recommendation.
In the end, Turtle Beach has managed to enhance an already winning formula, ensuring the Stealth 600 Gen 3 will be a staple in many gaming arsenals for years to come. Whether you’re strategizing in the heat of battle or simply enjoying a solo adventure, this headset delivers an immersive and enjoyable audio experience that’s hard to beat.
Stealth 500
The Stealth 500 is every bit as powerful as the Stealth 600 (Gen 3), except in some areas. Instead of 50mm nano drivers, the Stealth 500 has 40mm here. In place of an impressive 80 hour battery life, is still a fantastic 40 hours. And while it does lack of the “A.I. Mic Noise Reduction”, it does great even without it. If you can live with these differences, then there’s a lot to love for a budget price.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Stealth 500 is its sleek and modern design. The matte black finish with subtle accents gives it a professional look that easily fits into any gaming setup. The build quality feels robust, yet surprisingly lightweight. The adjustable headband and swiveling ear cups are a testament to Turtle Beach’s commitment to comfort. The ear cups are cushioned with a memory foam that’s wrapped in a soft, breathable fabric. This ensures that even during extended gaming sessions, the Stealth 500 remains comfortable. The over-ear design effectively blocks out external noise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the game. One downside, however, is that the ear cups can get a bit warm after prolonged use, which might be an issue for gamers in warmer climates.
When it comes to sound quality, the Stealth 500 truly shines. Equipped with very respectable 40mm speakers, the headset delivers a rich, immersive audio experience. The bass is deep and punchy without being overwhelming, while the mids and highs are crisp and clear. This balance makes it ideal for a variety of gaming genres, from the explosive action of first-person shooters to the subtle, atmospheric sounds of an RPG.
The headset also supports DTS Headphone:X 7.1 Surround Sound, providing a 360-degree audio experience. This feature is particularly beneficial in competitive gaming, where situational awareness can make or break your performance. During testing, the surround sound was impressively accurate, allowing for precise location of in-game sounds such as footsteps and gunfire.
One of the standout features of the Stealth 500 is its wireless capability. Using Turtle Beach’s proprietary wireless technology, the headset offers a stable and lag-free connection. The range is impressive, allowing you to move around your room without losing audio quality. The battery life is another strong point, boasting up to 15 hours of continuous use on a single charge. For those marathon gaming sessions, this is a significant advantage.
Charging is straightforward, with the included USB cable. A full charge takes around 3 hours, which is reasonable given the battery’s longevity. However, it would have been nice to see a quick-charge feature for those times when you need to top up the battery quickly.
Communication is key in multiplayer gaming, and the Stealth 500 doesn’t disappoint in this department. The headset features a flip-to-mute high-sensitivity microphone that provides clear and natural voice quality. When put away, it seamlessly blends into the headset as if it weren’t there. Background noise is effectively minimized, ensuring that your teammates hear you loud and clear. The mic is flexible and can be positioned easily, and the mute function is conveniently located on the ear cup.
The only minor gripe is that the microphone can occasionally pick up breathing sounds if positioned too close to the mouth. This is a common issue with many gaming headsets, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re particularly sensitive to audio quality.
Turtle Beach has packed the Stealth 500 with a host of features aimed at enhancing the gaming experience. The headset includes multiple audio presets, allowing you to customize the sound profile to suit different types of games or personal preferences. Switching between presets is easy, thanks to the intuitive controls on the ear cup.
The headset also supports Superhuman Hearing, a feature that amplifies subtle game sounds such as enemy footsteps or weapon reloads. While this might sound gimmicky, it can actually provide a competitive edge in fast-paced games where every sound cue matters.
Priced competitively, the Stealth 500 offers excellent value for money. It’s rare to find a headset in this price range that combines wireless functionality, surround sound, and high-quality audio. While there are more expensive headsets on the market with additional features, the Stealth 500 strikes a good balance between performance and affordability.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 is a strong contender in the mid-range gaming headset market. It delivers exceptional sound quality, robust wireless performance, and a comfortable design that’s perfect for long gaming sessions. The surround sound and customizable audio presets are standout features that enhance the overall gaming experience. While it has a few minor drawbacks, such as the warmth of the ear cups and the occasional sensitivity of the microphone, these are far outweighed by its strengths. For gamers looking for a reliable, high-performance headset without breaking the bank, the Stealth 500 is a fantastic choice. In the end, Turtle Beach has crafted a headset that delivers on its promises, providing gamers with the tools they need to succeed and enjoy their games to the fullest. The Stealth 500 is a testament to Turtle Beach’s expertise in audio technology, making it a worthy addition to any gamer’s arsenal.
A Stealth 600 (Gen 3) and Stealth 500 were provided in advance by Turtle Beach for review purposes
