Updated at: 22-05-2022 - By: Leo Hall

Although Turtle Beach is no longer the behemoth it once was, it is still a well-respected name in the gaming community. So when they released a wireless console headset for less than $100, console gamers around the world shed tears of joy.

It’s interesting to see how Turtle Beach tackled this problem with their Stealth 600 headset as a company can only do so much when designing a product in this pricing range.

The PS4 version of this headset will not be examined in this review because it is also available for the Xbox One.

PROS

  • Setup is a breeze.
  • Intense, well-balanced timbre
  • Body made of light materials

CONS

  • Somewhat sturdier cushioning
  • Bad microphone
  • The bass is a little weak.

The Stealth 600 Gen 2 wireless gaming headset from Turtle Beach is now available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles. For $99.99, you can get a headset with a lightweight design, high-quality sound, and wireless connectivity to your preferred console. There are some issues with the Stealth 600 Gen 2’s stiffness and the quality of its microphone, but it is an easy and reliable solution to enjoy wireless audio and voice chat on your console.

Design

We’re greeted with a design that’s sure to polarize opinion right away. Despite its angular design, the Stealth 600’s style is undeniably gaming-oriented. We can’t help but note that manufacturers have recently shifted away from this style of design.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Gaming Headset Review - IGN

Because the Stealth 100 was designed to look great in a PS4 environment (and does so brilliantly), we think it’s simpler to accept the headset’s appearance even for those who like unobtrusive designs.

In addition to the standard black and blue color scheme, the headset is now available in white and blue for those of you who like the white version of the PS4. (To be clear, we’re referring to the PS4 Pro when we say “PS4”.)

Whether you like the look or not, the Stealth 600’s build quality isn’t going to wow you. This headset is made entirely of plastic, and the plastic doesn’t have a luxury feel to it. I suppose you could argue that a $100 headset should be able to do this, and you’d have a good point. There are headphones in this price bracket that seem better built, but it isn’t necessarily a deal breaker for us.

Comfort

The odd way this headset fits could be a deal breaker for some people. First and foremost, the Stealth 600 is a headset for the PlayStation 4. The PS4 is, of course, compatible with the PSVR. So the makers of the Stealth 600 must have thought it would be a great idea to build it so that you can wear it comfortably even if you’re wearing a VR headset on your head. And, sure, they do work well together.

Yet even VR headset owners admit they don’t use them exclusively for gaming. Furthermore, the great majority of PS4 owners do not even own a PSVR. So it’s a pain that the Stealth 600’s headband sits a little behind your head instead of resting on your head like all other headsets, because that’s one of the drawbacks of this design concept. Consequently, you feel as if the headset is about to fall off.

Although this does not actually happen, to its credit, But it has the appearance of it, and that’s not a good feeling. It’s hard to enjoy a pair of pants if they constantly feel slack around the waist, even if they never fall off.

There’s a tendency to believe that we’ve been harping on about how uncomfortable this headset is for a long time. There’s a lot to appreciate here if you can get adjusted to the sentiments indicated above.

In addition to the headset’s minimal weight, it boasts thick and breathable cushioning on the headband and the earcups, and it doesn’t press into your head. Although the absence of clamping force makes it feel more like you’re just wearing the headset, we should have gone with a bit more if we’re being completely honest.

In any case, there isn’t a pain in the ear or cause ear perspiration in any way. It’s a headset that can be worn for long periods of time without experiencing any discomfort. It’s simply that the fit isn’t quite right, or at the very least, it’s different from your usual.

Stealth 600’s ProSpecs Glasses Relief System can be a big boon to anyone who has trouble seeing clearly due to their glasses. Cushioning in the middle of the earcup where the temples of the glasses would be has been made much softer so that the headset doesn’t impose as much strain there.

If you’re a frequent wearer of eyeglasses, this is a must-have function. This function is so useful and configurable that even if you decide this headset isn’t perfect for you, we strongly advise you to look at all headsets that offer this feature and choose one of those.

Features

You don’t get much in the way of features, but that’s to be anticipated at this price point. Although the fundamental functions are all serviceable to excellent, there are a few exceptions.

Connecting a wireless headset to your PS4 has never been easier than it is with the Stealth 600. It’s as simple as plugging in the headset’s dongle and going. Not the pseudo-wireless experience that the majority of PS4 owners are saddled with, in which the headset is still wired into the controller, but instead, this is a true wireless experience.

Even though the signal’s range isn’t spectacular, it’s more than adequate for console gaming at a distance of roughly 20 feet. For the price, the 15-hour battery life is excellent.

As a result, this dongle is also your only option for connectivity. There is no 3.5mm jack of any kind on the phone. Using this headset with your smartphone will not be possible, even if you wanted to listen to music in the middle of an online game session. The Stealth 600 can only be used with a PlayStation 4 or a PC.

To use the Turtle Beach Audio Hub, you’ll need to plug in the charging cord to your PC. This will allow you to adjust the volume and equalizer settings. Although it’s a basic piece of software, the customizability possibilities are a welcome addition. Even if you’re not a lover of software, you’ll have a chance to check it out as the only way to keep the headset up to date is to connect it to a PC.

Microphone

We can’t say that the microphone is exceptional, but it still provides excellent value for your money.

Although it isn’t a detachable microphone, in our opinion, it’s the greatest form of permanent microphone—the type that activates when you flip it down and mutes when you flip it up. Even when not in use, it fits snugly into the earcup’s shape, making it nearly invisible.

Although the microphone does not have a pop filter, it is far enough back that it does not suffer from popping noises or even the sound of an explosion. The disadvantage of this approach is that it reduces the volume of your voice, but it is still audible. We were especially amazed by its ability to reduce distracting ambient sounds.

A nice microphone all in all. Not the finest in this price range, but good enough that you won’t feel cheated out of your $100. The headgear also has a few fun extras to make the experience even better.

For example, you may always check the volume you’re speaking at to make sure it’s not too loud. In addition, the ear cup features a mic wheel. Due to its proximity to the volume wheel, it’s difficult to distinguish between them when you’re in a hurry and need to use them both quickly.

As a result, this all enhances the Stealth 600 microphone experience.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Gaming Headset Review

Sound

The sound is the final component.

So far, we’ve experienced a few issues with the Stealth 600. The audio quality, on the other hand, is excellent. It’s a great-sounding headset in all respects.

Even if this device’s adaptability is one of its greatest shortcomings, this does not apply to its use. Naturally, games sound fantastic on the Stealth 600, but it also sounds excellent when listening to music. Furthermore, it does justice to all kinds of media, whether it’s video games, music, or motion pictures.

This achievement is made possible in part by the fact that the device provides users with three separate listening modes – Signature, Bass Boost and Bass and Trebble – that they may switch between on the fly. It also has an excellent frequency response. The Mode button on the left ear cup can be tapped to switch between the various settings. All that’s left for you to do is choose which option to employ for each game.

As a last option, pushing and holding the Power button while the headset is already running will activate the Superhuman Hearing Mode, which reduces bass and improves mids. You’ll be able to hear footsteps and weapons being reloaded more clearly in online multiplayer games as a result of this adjustment.

Let’s not forget to mention the headset’s broad soundstage. For the most part, simulated 7.1 surround capabilities are only available when using a headset that is compatible with both the PC and the PS4. You may fully immerse yourself in your console’s game environment with the Stealth 600.

In terms of sound quality, this is a fantastic deal on a headset of this caliber. Additionally, the virtual surround sound and Superhuman Hearing Modes are worth their weight in gold if you’re a lover of shooting games.

Connectivity

The headsets for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are designed primarily for use with their respective consoles. An integrated tiny USB transmitter was included in the PlayStation 4 model I tested. It was easy to use and worked flawlessly. Unlike the Xbox One version, you don’t have to bother about re-pairing the headset with the transmitter. In order to use your headset with your PC, all you have to do is plug in the transmitter. You’ll need a USB port to use it.

Using Microsoft’s wireless connection, you may simply press the headset and console’s pairing buttons to connect. As a bonus, the headset connects directly to the Xbox without a USB adapter. However, unless you have an Xbox Wireless Adapter, you cannot use the headset with your PC. Because it does not use Bluetooth and does not come with a dongle, you will have to purchase one separately (which also lets you use Xbox Wireless Controllers including the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 with a more reliable signal than Bluetooth).

Performance

Musical performance on the Stealth 600 is clear, although bass is a little lacking. The headset comes with four different audio settings, one of which is a bass boost, but we found that the default setting provided the best overall sound balance. Our bass test track, The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” was played at full volume without distortion, but the headset didn’t come close to jarring the head.

This is the procedure we use to evaluate headphones

As Yes’ “Roundabout” begins, the acoustic guitar’s upper and lower frequencies are textured with a delicate string texture and resonance. There is a distinct difference between the sound of the electric bass and the sound of the drums. The vocals, drums, and guitar all get the prominence they deserve in this song.

Sound quality of “Born Too Slow” by The Crystal Method is quite good on the Stealth 600, with lots of high-mid presence for an exciting sound. To keep the music moving, the backbeat is given just enough thud to sound threatening but not so low as to be physically felt.

However, even with the Stealth 600, Doom (2016)’s industrial score falls short of pounding your skull like a jackhammer due to its lack of low-end punch. However, any simulated surround effect you get through the linked console (or PC, with which you can utilize software like the Razer THX Spatial Audio app) rather than the headset itself can be plainly heard through stereo panning.

The sound quality of Fortnite on the headset is excellent. With good imaging, I’m able to detect the overall direction of any sound, from footfall to thunder to distant gunfire. My ears could be kept open to avoid being crept up on, but it didn’t stop me from being sniped in my test game.

Simple Wireless Audio

Even with a slightly underwhelming microphone, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 wireless headset is an excellent choice. There are a slew of other excellent options for PC gamers, with the Razer Nari Essential standing out as the best value for money when it comes to audio and microphone quality. As long as you don’t mind dealing with a connection, the Astro Gaming A10 or the Razer Blackshark V2 X (the USB sound-card-free version of the outstanding Razer Blackshark V2) are cheaper options for PS4 and Xbox One users who prefer connected headsets. If you’re looking to play games wirelessly on your PS4 or Xbox One, the Stealth 600 is an excellent option.

Amazon.com: Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless Surround Sound Gaming Headset for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 : Everything Else

FAQS:

Who is the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 for?

  • Gamers seeking for a simple, cross-platform solution, even if it hasn’t yet been released.
  • Workers at home who require a wireless device they won’t have to charge all the time.

What is the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 like to use?

While our testing device is black, the headset is also available in white.

If you’ve used a Turtle Beach headset in the last several years, you know what to expect from this headset. There are a few differences from the Recon range of headphones, but overall, it’s a good thing.

With its strong hinge system and all-plastic construction, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 offers reasonable tilt and rotation. I initially found the headband to be a little too tight, but after a few wears, I found it to be a perfect fit! It doesn’t matter if you’re using a wired or wireless gaming headset, the headset feels very secure, which is especially crucial when you’re moving around a lot more than you would with a wired headset.

In order to make wearing glasses more comfortable, the ear pads of the headphones are wrapped in mesh fabric with grooves underneath. A good seal isn’t too difficult to achieve because to the softness of the ear pads. When it comes to heat management, the mesh fabric isn’t as good as leatherette but it performs a good job overall.

Initially, the band is somewhat tight, but it gradually loosens up.

With the exception of the microphone, this looks almost identical to the Turtle Beach Recon 200. The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2’s microphone folds inside the headset, unlike prior models that had a microphone on the side of the left earphone. In the same way that you can mute a phone by flipping it up, you can also talk by doing the same.

In terms of the headset’s controls, they’re basically identical to those on other headsets, just more crowded. Power, audio mode, volume and mic sidetone dials are all located on the rear of the left earphone on this headset. Many times during the course of gameplay, I had to fumble between my microphone and the volume controls while trying to alter the volume.

If you’re not paying attention to the controls, it can feel like you’re stumbling around aimlessly.

With a few exceptions, operating the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 is a breeze. You may use a 2.4GHz USB dongle to connect this gaming headset to your PC or console of choice. Thanks to the Turtle Beach Hub app, which exists purely for updating the headset’s firmware, you don’t have to do anything to get started using the headset other than connecting it in. While the dongle’s pairing process can take a little longer than expected, it didn’t cause any problems for me during my evaluation.

Even though the software is kept to a minimum, the headset offers a few extra features. The mode button allows you to cycle among the unit’s four pre-programmed EQ settings. A bass boost, a bass and treble boost, and a vocal boost are all available in addition to the default trademark sound profile. There is a noticeable difference in how things sound while using them, but I didn’t find them that useful.

How is the battery?

The headset’s hinges allow it to rest flat, which is useful if you spend your days in front of a computer.

Despite Turtle Beach’ claims of 15 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, our tests revealed a much higher actual battery life. A single charge lasted the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 over 21 hours of playback at a constant output of 75dB. If you turn the level down any further, you may be able to get even better results. When the battery runs out, plugging in for a few hours with the provided USB-C adapter will re-energize the system and allow you to resume gaming.

Conclusion:

Our opinion is that the Stealth 600, both positive and bad aspects, is truly unique.

As a headset that can be used for both gaming and multimedia, it has a wonderful sound quality. It has a decent battery life and a good microphone. Most importantly, it makes it simple to play PS4 games wirelessly.

Although its plastic construction seems cheap, it’s one of the more unusual headsets we’ve reviewed due to its unique, VR-friendly design. In this pricing range, the fact that you can’t connect it to your smartphone isn’t a bonus.

If you’re able to play to its strengths and don’t mind its flaws, then it’s a worthwhile investment. For about $100, you can get a wireless Turtle Beach headset with this level of sound quality. Is there a place to register?

When it comes to headsets, however, comfort is the most important consideration. As far as we were concerned, this one just didn’t do it for us. When you’re playing a video game, it’s easy to get distracted by the fact that your headset is compatible with glasses.