Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 Wireless Gaming Headset Review: Comprehensive Control and Immersive Sound
Turtle Beach launches the new Stealth 600 Gen 3 wireless competitive headset, offering various style options for Xbox and PS5. It is also compatible with PC and mobile devices. The headset boasts six functional operations, such as volume and device switching, plus a microphone with AI voice noise reduction and an impressive 80-hour battery life. Providing a full suite of features at an affordable price, this headset is a great option for multi-platform gamers.
Appearance Design
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 is available in black and white. The Xbox version launched in Taiwan supports all major gaming platforms, including PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and other devices, making it ideal for multi-platform console players.
The headset comes packaged in a white box. The headphone image on the cover matches the selected color. The Xbox version features a green decorative line at the bottom of the box and a "Design For Xbox" certification seal in the lower right corner. Below, smaller text indicates compatibility with PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile phones. The PS5 version features a blue decorative line to match the PlayStation trademark but does not support Xbox.
The box contents are straightforward: the headset, a 2.4 GHz receiver, a USB-A to C charging cable, and simple instructions. The receiver is noteworthy due to its Xbox/USB switching lever. The latter is used for non-Xbox platforms like PC, PS5, and Switch. Pay close attention to the receiver’s status when using the headset.
Features and Ergonomics
The left earcup of the Stealth 600 Gen 3 houses most of the headset’s functions. It integrates a microphone, power button, EQ switch button, Bluetooth pairing button, device switch button, volume wheel, microphone volume wheel, and a USB-C charging port. The microphone wheel on the Xbox version doesn’t simply adjust sound pickup; it adjusts the volume ratio between voice chat and game sound effects.
While the plethora of features may seem daunting, Turtle Beach has thoughtfully arranged buttons based on hand posture. The scroll wheel, intuitively touched by the thumb, controls microphone settings, perfect for adjusting sound pickup during team chats. Reaching for the volume wheel requires extending the thumb upwards, as headphone volume is rarely adjusted during use.
The button arrangement is similar: the switch button and scroll wheel are on the same axis, allowing for quick call answering during gameplay. Power, EQ, and Bluetooth buttons are placed less accessibly, requiring a thumb stretch. The power button is separated in shape, making it easy to blindly press when putting on the headphones.
The microphone features AI noise reduction technology and an automatic switch function. A prompt sound plays through the headset when the microphone is pulled down or retracted, enhancing communication convenience. Unfortunately, the microphone has limited adjustability, preventing it from being placed tightly once morest the mouth or chin.
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 earcups are made of woven mesh covered with patented memory foam, providing a firm, elastic feel with good breathability. More importantly, they don’t squeeze once morest glasses frames, allowing for comfortable long-term wear. The headband also features artificial leather cushions, reducing pressure on the head.
Stealth 500: The Entry-Level Option
The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 is an entry-level version of the Stealth 600 Gen 3. Available only in black, it offers platform-specific styles and retains the operational buttons, scroll wheel, and retractable microphone.
The Stealth 500 prioritizes a lightweight wearing experience, replacing the foam headband with a lightweight woven one. Wireless battery life is reduced from 80 hours to 40 hours, and a smaller battery reduces the headset’s weight from 320g to 233g.
Actual Experience
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 utilizes 50mm Nanoclear driver units (Stealth 500 uses 40mm) and provides the Swarm II synchronization program on PC and mobile devices. Beyond basic functions like firmware updates and volume settings, the program offers SUPERHUMAN HEARING, which amplifies footsteps and distant gunshots, aiding in early enemy detection. SUPERHUMAN HEARING features three modes.
The Swarm II program also features an EQ equalizer that adjusts headphone playback and microphone pickup. It can record four EQ profiles on the headset, allowing users to retain their preferred sound effects even when switching to a game console.
The program offers customization options. The functions of the microphone’s scroll wheel and mode switching keys can be rearranged, and keyboard hotkeys can be assigned for muting the mic and activating noise reduction.
In terms of sound quality, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 offers a spacious soundstage with distinct far and near scenes. Open-world game transitions from outdoors to indoors are smooth, accurately recreating sound changes based on environments and sound sources.
The bass is powerful and abundant while retaining detail. Every punch in the fighting game "Tekken 8" is felt deeply, and the sound accurately captures the interactive background collisions, creating an immersive and impactful experience.
The treble is cool and clear, sensitive to small sounds like footsteps, bullet shells falling, and magic skill effects. Even in melee scenes, most of these sound elements are distinctly audible.
The midrange, like most gaming headsets in this price range, is satisfactory. Initial detail is slightly blurry, but improves over time. While not delicate or prominent, it’s sufficient for distinguishing sound content. The midrange focuses more on voice dialogue than scene sound effects, ensuring clear communication during gameplay and live streams.
Conclusion
As Turtle Beach’s first product following merging with Roccat, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 delivers a high level of operability exceeding many flagship gaming headsets on the market. Most gaming sound functions can be controlled with one hand on the left earcup.
Sound quality is impressive, offering a tuning style that prioritizes gamer needs. It addresses the inability of consoles to install synchronization programs by allowing the headset to store EQ profiles, ensuring a personalized listening experience across all platforms.
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 is priced at NT$4,190, and the Stealth 500 is priced at NT$3,190. Both are available on major retailers.
From now until September 30, purchase the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 GEN 3 and Stealth 500 wireless gaming headsets on the Zhixuanjia.com website and enter the 4Gamers exclusive discount code "4GTB600" for a NT$200 discount and free shipping.
[I point] Turtle Beach Stealth 600 GEN 3 product link
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Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 Wireless Headset Review: Affordable, Versatile, and Feature-Packed
Turtle Beach, a renowned name in gaming audio, has unveiled its latest wireless headset, the Stealth 600 Gen 3. This headset boasts a sleek design, impressive features, and compatibility with a wide range of gaming platforms. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the Stealth 600 Gen 3’s design, functionality, performance, and overall value proposition.
Appearance Design: A Blend of Aesthetics and Functionality
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 comes in two color options: black and white. The Xbox version, available in Taiwan, offers seamless compatibility with various gaming platforms, including PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and mobile devices. This makes it a perfect choice for multi-platform gamers.
The headset’s packaging is straightforward yet appealing. The white box features a large image of the headset, matching the chosen color variant. The Xbox version includes a green decorative line at the bottom and a “Design For Xbox” certification seal in the lower right corner. Below it, smaller text highlights compatibility with other platforms like PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile phones. The PS5 version, however, features a blue decorative line to reflect PlayStation branding. This version, however, lacks Xbox compatibility.
The contents of the box are uncomplicated and include the headset, 2.4 GHz receiver, USB-A to C charging cable, and a simple instruction manual. The receiver is noteworthy for its Xbox/USB switching lever, enabling seamless connectivity with different platforms.
Ergonomic Layout of Features
The left earcup of the Stealth 600 Gen 3 is where all the action happens. It houses the microphone, power button, EQ switch button, Bluetooth pairing button, device switch button, volume wheel, microphone volume wheel, and USB-C charging port. The microphone wheel on the Xbox version lets you adjust the volume ratio between voice chat and game sound effects, offering optimal control over your communication.
While the array of features might seem overwhelming at first glance, Turtle Beach has intelligently arranged the buttons for user-friendliness. The intuitive positioning ensures easy access to essential functions. For instance, the microphone settings are located on the scroll wheel, which your thumb will naturally rest upon. The volume wheel is positioned a bit higher, allowing you to adjust volume levels without disrupting your gaming flow.
Similarly, the switch button and scroll wheel share the same axis for quick access to phone calls. The less frequently used buttons, like power, EQ, and Bluetooth, are placed on the side, requiring a slightly more deliberate action. The power button is uniquely shaped for easy identification and blind-pressing, ideal for gamers who prefer putting on headphones first and then turning them on.
Advanced Noise Reduction Microphone
The retractable microphone is equipped with AI noise reduction technology, ensuring clear and crisp communication in noisy environments. The automatic switch feature provides instant feedback whenever the microphone is pulled down or stowed away. This user-friendly feature keeps you informed of your microphone status, enhancing communication convenience.
While the microphone’s adjustability is commendable, the limited angle of adjustment might be a minor drawback for some. It cannot be pulled too close to the mouth, preventing it from resting comfortably on the lips or chin.
Comfortable and Breathable Design
The Stealth 600 Gen 3’s earcups are made of breathable woven mesh covered in patented memory foam, offering a comfortable and secure fit. The earcups are firm and elastic, providing a snug but comfortable fit. Furthermore, the headband includes artificial leather cushions, which are large and thick, effectively reducing pressure on the head. This ensures comfortable long-wearing sessions, making it ideal for extended gameplay.
Stealth 500: A Lighter Option
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 has a sibling, the Stealth 500, a more affordable entry-level option. While only available in black, it shares similar features and functionality with the Stealth 600 Gen 3, including the operation buttons, scroll wheel, and retractable microphone.
The Stealth 500 prioritizes lightweight wearability, using a lightweight woven headband instead of foam. This, along with a smaller battery, brings down the weight of the headset to 233g from the Stealth 600 Gen 3’s 320g. The battery life is also reduced from 80 hours to 40 hours.
Actual Experience: Immersive Sound and Advanced Customization
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 features 50 mm Nanoclear driver units (compared to the Stealth 500’s 40 mm units), delivering a spacious and immersive audio experience. The Swarm II synchronization program, available for PC and mobile devices, allows users to control various settings, including firmware updates, volume adjustments, and the SUPERHUMAN HEARING feature.
SUPERHUMAN HEARING: Enhanced Sound Awareness
SUPERHUMAN HEARING is a game-changer, greatly amplifying the sounds of footsteps, distant gunshots, and other vital audio cues. This feature provides a clear advantage in competitive gaming, allowing players to anticipate enemy movements and react accordingly. There are three distinct modes to fine-tune the SUPERHUMAN HEARING experience, catering to individual preferences and gaming scenarios.
Customizable EQ and Profile Settings
The Swarm II program also includes an EQ equalizer that empowers users to tailor both headphone playback and microphone pickup to their liking. Four EQ profiles can be saved directly on the headset, allowing users to maintain their preferred sound settings even when transitioning between gaming consoles. This eliminates the need for separate configuration on each device.
Customized Button Functionality and Keyboard Hotkeys
The Swarm II program provides deep customization options. The functions of the microphone scroll wheel and mode switching keys can be rearranged, assigning different actions to these buttons based on user preferences. Furthermore, keyboard hotkeys can be assigned for functions like mute, microphone noise reduction, and other valuable features. This empowers users to effortlessly toggle these functions during gameplay, offering a highly personalized and streamlined gaming experience.
Immersive and Detailed Sound Performance
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 delivers an impressive audio experience, characterized by a spacious soundstage that accurately portrays the layers of far and near sounds in the game. Transitioning from outdoor to indoor environments in open-world games is seamless, convincingly simulating the changes in sound caused by different environments and sound sources.
The bass response is robust and powerful without compromising detail. The collision of punches in fighting games delivers a visceral impact, while subtle background sounds are also clearly audible, immersing players in the action. The treble performance is clear and crisp without being overly harsh, effectively capturing small sounds like footsteps, bullet shells hitting the ground, and magic effects.
The midrange is satisfyingly balanced, offering clear dialogue without overshadowing the game’s soundscape. While not overly detailed, it effectively distinguishes sound content. The midrange prioritizes vocal clarity, ensuring clear communication during game chat or while watching live streams.
Conclusion: A Top-Tier Choice for Gamers
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 provides a remarkable blend of functionality, comfort, and sound quality. In addition to its wide range of features and customization options, the headset is priced competitively, making it an exceptional value proposition for gamers seeking a solid wireless headset. The ease of use, impressive sound performance, and user-friendly program make it a top-tier choice for console and PC gamers alike.
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 has a suggested retail price of NT$4,190, while the Stealth 500 has a suggested retail price of NT$3,190. They are available through major retailers and online channels.
**Exclusive Offer for 4Gamers Readers:** Until September 30, 2023, visit the Zhixuanjia.com official website and use the code **4GTB600** for a NT$200 discount and free shipping on the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 and Stealth 500 wireless headsets.
**Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 Product Link: [I point]**
**Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Product Link: [I point]**