When it comes to headsets, I’ve been around the block. I’ve tried all sorts of gaming headsets from various different brands, and the one common thing that I found was that I much preferred wired headsets.
So when Turtle Beach offered me the opportunity to review their Stealth 600 Gen 2 wireless headset, I was a bit hesitant but took the opportunity anyway and I’m glad that I did.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 is, you guessed it, the second generation of the popular Stealth 600 wireless headset and is made to work seamlessly with the next generation Xbox consoles.
Design
Right out of the box, the headset looks good, with its sleek dark greyish-black colouring with green accents. There’s nothing really new in terms of design innovation but I was definitely impressed with just how light the headset was when I lifted it out of the box.
Having not used the Stealth 600, I can’t quite comment on any differences but according to the Turtle Beach website, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 has a larger flip-to-mute mic to allow for “refined chat clarity that integrates into the headset when muted”. The ear cushions are also re-shaped to offer glasses friendly comfort, something that I personally appreciate as I do wear glasses at night.
The one thing that did throw me off though was the overall quality of the design and build of the headset. The headset was light, yes, but it also felt almost…cheap. Compared to other headsets I’ve used in the past, the Stealth Gen 2 didn’t feel as premium as it looked. Though this might be off-putting to some, it actually makes for the perfect headset for younger and casual gamers, who might just be getting into gaming or wanting a more affordable option.
Don’t let it’s ‘cheap’ feel dissuade you. The headset is actually quite robust and sturdy, once again making the headset perfect for kids or those who are susceptible to breaking their headsets. While this is great for longevity of the headset, I did struggle with the stiffness of the headband as you can’t really stretch it out. If you have a small head, that shouldn’t be a problem, but those with larger heads, who require a flexible headband to be able to wear the headset may find themselves struggling.
Features
I could go into the technical aspects of the headset but most of you who understand the lingo will likely know way more about the nitty-gritty details of technology than I do so instead, this review will be catered more towards those who aren’t so familiar with the geek speak and are just looking to learn more about whether this headset is right for them.
Let’s face it. A headset is a headset, first and foremost. What usually sets headsets apart is the build, quality and comfort. So what features make headsets stand out from each other?
Well for the Stealth 600 Gen 2, it’s the redesigned ear cushions. Having all gamers in mind, Turtle Beach definitely took into consideration glasses wearers, something that I’ve found not all brands take into account when designing their headsets. This particular headset was certainly one of the few that I’ve worn that didn’t press down on my glasses frames and hurt my ears.
Of course, there’s also the improved mic, which you can easily flip to mute. The flipping mechanism was easy, though I definitely forgot to flip it up to mute a few times, having been so used to clicking a button to mute myself. The general quality and pickup of the mic was definitely clear, which made for easy voice recording for when I needed to record audio clips to accompany some of my content.
That’s not all. The most basic features of this headset turned out to have a huge impact on me.
Most wireless headsets tend to throw me off a little when I’m trying to pair the headset to my Xbox Series S console. Either it requires connecting a USB device to the console and pairing it that way or having to hold down the pairing button for prolonged periods before the console picked up and registered the headset.
The Stealth 600 Gen 2 was a breeze to pair. I simply had to press the pairing button on the headset and console once and it was set up! The easiest, hassle free pairing I’ve ever experienced. Not only that, once paired, turning on the headset could also turn on the console too. It’s like magic!!
For those of you who need more detail on what this headset offers, here’s the full specs of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 as listed on the official website:
Windows Sonic
The headset comes with Windows Sonic, which delivers immersive virtual surround sound and precise, distortion-free 3D audio to bring your games to life.
Powerful, Amplified Audio
The refined ear cup acoustics and expertly tuned 50mm speakers are amplified to enable advanced audio features like Superhuman Hearing®, Mic Monitoring and Audio Presets for accurate, immersive audio.
Superhuman Hearing®
With Turtle Beach’s exclusive Superhuman Hearing® sound setting, you’ll be able to hear all the subtle yet game-changing sounds, like enemy footsteps sneaking up on your six, other players reloading their weapon for an ambush, and vehicles off in the distance approaching with reinforcements. It’s vital intelligence for the split-second, life-or-death decisions that elevate great gamers above the rest.
Mic Monitoring
Hear the level of your own voice in your headset while you chat with friends so you’re aware of your own volume and avoid shouting at teammates and other players.
Easy Access to Audio Presets
Enhance your gameplay experience at the touch of a button with four signature Turtle Beach audio presets including Bass Boost, Signature Sound, Treble Boost, and Vocal Boost.
15-Hour Battery Life
An onboard rechargeable battery delivers up to 15-hours of gaming per charge using the included USB-C charging cable.
All the above features were definitely noticeable when I used the headset, especially in terms of immersive audio. At points, I felt as if I was wearing a noise cancelling headset as I couldn’t hear anything else outside of what I was listening to directly through the headset.
Comfort
As mentioned above, the new re-designed ear cushions made for a much more comfortable experience when wearing glasses. This was definitely welcome however, I did find a bit of pressure on my head after a few hours of wear.
Though the headset has many benefits, the rigidity of the headband did make it tough to keep the headset on for long periods of time, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on how you choose to play games.
Overall
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 headset is definitely a sturdy, affordable headset that works immensely well with the next gen Xbox consoles. It’s redesigned ear cushions and mic definitely add to its benefits, along with its affordability, particularly for younger gamers. However, it’s lack of flexibility in its headband, and rather cheap feel could be off-putting to hardcore gamers wanting to immerse themselves in a game for hours on end.
When wearing this headset, I’d highly recommend taking a break every couple of hours to let your head and ears breathe before jumping back into the game.