Posted by Turtle beach is an audio gaming company that pioneered the first console gaming headset – the X51 that paved the way for high-quality gaming audio in the gaming world. The company has since then led the way with innovative, sleek designs and high quality products. Whether you are a casual player, a hard-core gamer or an e-sports pro, Turtle Beach has one of the best headsets available to you in today’s gaming industry.
Turtle Beach metamorphosed from Octave Electronics, which created music and audio-related products like analogue music synthesizers, PC sound cards and more during the mid-1970s. With its claim to have created the first ever console gaming headset, the company consistently used its audio expertise and drive for innovation to bring groundbreaking features and innovations to its products.
Turtle Beach gaming headsets produce perfect sound. They are comfortable to the ears and come with impressive features and functionality a gamer would most definitely want. Turtle Beach products are also protected by the manufacturer’s warranty for one year from the date of purchase.
With the introduction out of the way, let’s dive into reviewing some of Turtle Beach’s gaming headset products. We will take a look at their Recon 200, which was first released in 2018. We will also look at Recon 70, which is a later upgrade to the former and then we will see just how they stack against each other and other competitors in the gaming industry.
We will also review the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 and the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 and see how they compare against each other. Worthy gaming products from Turtle Beach would also be mentioned.
Why Turtle Beach?
- Versatility: Primarily, Turtle Beach makes headsets with a very gamer-centric design but they regularly infuse versatility for mobile use. The majority of their headsets use a standard 1/8″ audio jack and some are compatible with Bluetooth. They also have a few models with detachable microphones, so they are a bit less bulky for use with your mobile devices.
- Unique active features: Most Turtle Beach headsets have active features that differentiate them from other gaming headsets. Their cheapest headsets are more basic, but you do not have to break the bank to start seeing unique features like Bluetooth support, bass-boost effects or even noise cancelling.
- Good microphone quality: You are assured of the best microphone quality from Turtle Beach. Most gaming headsets options from Turtle Beach have good microphones for multiplayer gaming. Their often shorter boom microphones deliver a good recording quality and are suitable for gaming and making calls.
Warning: Most modern headsets outputs sound approximately up to 120 dB. Note that any sound above 85 dB in volume can potentially damage hearing. This risk increases with volume. Users are therefore advised to desist from using headsets on high volumes and for a longer period as this increases a potential danger of permanent loss of hearing. Also, it has been noticed that Active or Passive Noise cancellation in headsets can cause dizziness and headaches in some users.
Turtle Beach Recon 200
The Turtle Beach Recon 200 is a budget-friendly gaming headset, which provides adequate coverage of the rudimentary necessities a gamer wants in a headset. This headset offers the basics, from stereo sound to a built-in microphone and a couple of control options, to deliver a quality gaming experience.
Basic Features of the Turtle Beach Recon 200
The Recon 200 was created for Console gamers looking for a great audio experience across platforms. The Recon 200 headset possesses a no-frills approach, which is reflected in its design and build. It was produced primarily out of plastic, aided with a metal strip running through the band. The Turtle Beach Recon 200 has rotating hinges that tilt a little bit. The earpads and headband cushion are made mainly of leatherette, with a mesh fabric lining the inside of each ear cup, designed specifically to manage heat.
Gaming with the Turtle Beach Recon 200
Gaming with the Turtle Beach Recon 200 does not get any more straightforward than this. With its 3.5mm connection, the headset needs next to no setup, just as simple as plugging it in and it works.
On PC, it was just as described in the above step, but on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, it requires a little more tailoring as it possesses separate positions for the power switch. Windows Sonic works well enough, though it is a subtler surround sound when compared to most other standards.
Compatibility of Turtle Beach Recon 200
Turtle Beach Recon 200 was designed as a very straightforward gaming headset to use but a few features might make it complex. The Recon 200 is a stereo gaming headset that uses a 3.5mm connection, making sure it is compatible with PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and whatever device that comes with a headphone jack.
The Recon 200 is fitted with a power switch and volume dials and microphone audio on the back of the left headphone. The attached microphone on the Recon 200 headset mutes when it flips up. The Turtle Beach Recon 200 works as advertised, and takes no time for one to get used to it.
The mesh inner layer means the Turtle Beach Recon 200 is a comfortable headset – heat is well dissipated, coupled with a decent seal too. Glass-wearing gamers will have difficulties a bit due to the firmness of the leatherette.
Battery Life
The Turtle Beach Recon 200 is a wired, rechargeable gaming headset with a decent battery life out of a single charge. The headset lasted just shy of 16 and a half-hour of consistent playback with a fully charged battery. You might get better results, as our testing happened with a consistent output of 75dB, which is louder than most people listen to.
The Turtle Beach Recon 200’s has a charging time of between 1.5 to 2 hours depending on battery level and displays a red light indicating that the device is charging. Once charging is complete, the red light automatically shuts off indicating that the headset is fully charged.
It is important to also state that many of the wireless options perform lesser in terms of battery, though more than a few of them support the 3.5mm audio when the battery dies unlike the Recon 200, which cannot be used passively.
How does the Turtle Beach Recon 200 sound?
The Turtle Beach Recon 200 performed excellently with decent stereo soundstage on testing, which gives enough directionality for passive competitive-minded gamers even with the Windows Sonic turned off. On PlayStation 4, there is no surround sound option at all but the device still works with the same great user experience.
When it comes to sound, the Turtle Beach Recon 200 actually offers accurate audio, notwithstanding the bass emphasis. Due to a user’s inability to turn off the bass boost, at a bass range of up to 300Hz, a very significant over-emphasis can be perceived.
The effect of this can be felt in gaming sessions where frequency response like this means gunfire and the rumble of explosions will come out up to twice as loud, depending on what frequency the sound has. That might sound neat, but video games are already balanced for a particular listening experience and as an explosion is likely always going to be the loudest part of a given scene, boosting it even louder just creates the risk of drowning out sounds you might actually want to hear.
Isolation Properties
The Recon 200 headset offers decent isolation for a gaming headset as it does not provide a noise-cancellation effect but is powerful enough to drum out usual home sounds like nearby television sets or a chatty roommate – perfect for indoor gaming.
Microphone
In terms of microphone, the Turtle Beach Recon 200 has a more accurate and precise microphone than most of its competitors. However, it is not immune to the usual struggles of most gaming headsets. The Recon 200 microphone is among the quietest microphones available to gamers and if your platform does not have automatic game settings, you will most certainly need to raise your voice a bit. There is a very steep de-emphasis in the bass range up to 400Hz, which means people with deeper voices will sound a bit distorted, but with the benefit that voices will come through much clearer over your voice chat.
Pros of Turtle Beach Recon 200
- Design: The Turtle Beach Recon 200 was designed as a simple gaming headset created for Console gamers with its sleek and authentic design.
- Compatibility: The Recon 200 is a versatile headset, compatible with PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and whatever device with a headphone jack.
- Battery life: With an average battery life of around 16 and a half hour of consistent playback with a fully charged battery, users are assured of a long and satisfying gaming experience.
- Sound: Decent stereo soundstage, impressive isolation for maximum concentration with an active bass-boost for an excellent extra boost of heavy bass game scenarios such as intense gunfire and the boom of explosions.
- Microphone: Accurate and precise microphone for communication. The microphone is also equipped with a flip-to-mute action.
- Price: The price of the Turtle Beach Recon 200 is one of the major reasons I prefer this gaming headset. For a relatively decent price, gamers are guaranteed an amazing gaming session.
Cons of Turtle Beach Recon 200
- The Turtle Beach Recon 200’s boom microphone is not detachable.
- Only a small part of the headband has padding and you are likely to feel the plastic parts of the band if you have a larger head. The headset may also feel tight for some users.
- The likelihood of temperature rising around the ears is ever-present, especially if you are wearing them for long gaming sessions.
- Recon 200 lacks more casual features like music and call management.
- Just like most other over-ear gaming headsets, the Recon 200 is not very portable as the plastic design means it cannot be folded for easy storage.
- The Turtle Beach Recon 200 does not come with a carrying case or pouch.
- As with all wired headphones, their non-detachable audio cable can snag.
- Things like the size of head, glasses or thick hair can affect the sound profile of this headset.
- Due to its closed-back design, the soundstage does not sound overtly open or spacious and lacks any virtual soundstage features.
- The Turtle Beach Recon 200 has a disappointing passive noise isolation performance.
- The noise handling performance of the microphone is unremarkable as it strains to capture speech in loud environments like a gaming tournament.
- The Recon 200 is not compatible with the Turtle Beach AudioHub software and lacks any customization options.
Quick Comparison of Turtle Beach Recon 200 with competitors
The Recon 200 and the Razer Kraken X are easily at par although the latter costs less. The Razer Kraken X delivers a comparable gaming experience when compared to the Turtle Beach Recon 200. It offers cross-platform compatibility, decent isolation, good sound, and just maybe a better microphone depending on the platform and the user. However, with a solid brand name and an impressive customer-friendly policy, the Recon 200 easily outperforms the Kraken X on many frontiers.
The Corsair HS60 Pro Surround can deliver a pleasant gaming experience with its ease of use, sturdy build quality, and comfortable design just like the Turtle Beach Recon 200. While the HS60 Pro does not have some of the inconveniences associated with the Recon 200 such as the need to charge the headset and over-emphasized low frequencies, it is relatively more expensive when compared with the Turtle Beach Recon 200 headset. A noteworthy factor, however, is that the Recon 200 seems to produce a more accurate frequency response compared to the HS60 Pro Surround. So depending on user preference and needs, both the HS60 Pro and the Recon 200 performs at par but the price difference tilts in favor of the Recon 200 as it performs just as well as the HS60 Pro, meaning users get more for less.
Conclusion
The Turtle Beach Recon 200 is an over-ear gaming headphone with a wired connection, which does not really stand out from the pack except for its rechargeable battery, which powers active features like an always-on Bass Boost. However, while the intense thump and boom help highlight explosions and gunshots, these headphones can sound different depending on who is wearing them. Besides, although their battery life is great, once it dies you cannot use these headphones passively. Still, this headphone is comfortable and compatible with all consoles and PCs, with its wired connection. It is available for sale on Amazon for $58.
Turtle Beach Recon 70
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is a perfectly designed gaming headset, which handles the basics well and does not offer any extra features. Extra features such as surround sound, multi-colored LEDs and different connection options are not included since most people often look for a cheap, simple, and ready to use gaming headset. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 provides just that. The recon 70 is a stereo gaming headset compatible with PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch.
If you are a console gamer looking for a cheap and easy to use headset, then the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is a viable option.
Basic Features of the Turtle Beach Recon 70
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 gaming headset is made of hard plastic with a good matte-textured exterior, headband and leatherette pads on the ear cups. While it has no metal at all, the Recon 70 is still a sturdy headset. Its headband clamps down with an adequate amount of force to secure and hold it in place while gaming. The overall design is very comfortable.
Design of the Turtle Beach Recon 70
Turtle Beach Recon 70 has a swiveling hinge that lets the Turtle Beach Recon 70 lay flat. The hinges are connected to the outside of the headphones, which allows for a decent amount of tilt to accommodate different head shapes. The ear cups are on the average side, and the leatherette is rather stiff, which means people with glasses will probably find it hard to get a decent seal or comfortably wear the headset.
The headset is simple and easy to use just as you would expect. It connects using a 3.5mm headphone jack and so requires no setting other than plugging it in. There is a volume dial and an attached microphone on the left, which mutes when you flip it up.
Gaming with the Turtle Beach Recon 70
Turtle Beach Recon 70 gives the basics when it comes to its gaming offerings. It is just a stereo gaming headset and anything that does not rely on directional audio will work just fine.
Compatibility
The Recon 70 is a great cross-platform headset and on Xbox One or a compatible Windows PC, it supports Windows Sonic spatial audio, so there is a surround sound option available to the user.
Sound and Isolation
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 offers accurate sound for a gaming headset except for its bass and sub-bass output with a slight dip in output in the 3-4 kHz range. During gaming sessions, outputs like this are a little less of an issue unlike when listening to music with the headset where really punchy bass lines will sound quite less prominent than they should.
The Recon 70 offers average isolation property for a gaming headset, meaning you are most likely to get little or no noise cancellation attributes. The earpads are thin and do not adequately block out more than the occasional noises around.
Microphone
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 has a more accurate microphone than most of the gaming headsets available in today’s market to gamers despite its uneven audio output. One noticeable flaw is its volume though as this is a very quiet microphone and users might need to raise their voice a bit if the platform does not have automatic gain adjustment.
This really should not be a tough decision to make, as there are not many considerations to look out for. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 provides decent sounds, it is easy to use, it offers solid chat audio, it feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you are in search of a simple plug-and-play headset, you could do a whole lot worse and spend a whole lot more money. There you have it, people, I would recommend the Recon 70 to anyone looking for a simple, fast, easy to use and adaptive headset.
Cons of Turtle Beach Recon 70
- The Turtle Beach Recon 70’s headband is not as well-padded as that of other Turtle Beach models.
- No playback controls.
- It is not a good option for sports as they trap heat inside their ear cups, which will make you sweat more than usual.
- Like most over-ear gaming headsets, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is not very portable. It does not fold into a more compact format.
- It creaks a lot and feels fragile when manipulating.
- It can be cumbersome and sway quite a bit when running.
- Fitted with a non-detachable cable that can pull it off your head if it gets hooked or caught on something.
- The dip in the low bass range may be disappointing if you prefer some extra thump and rumble in your favorite action-heavy games.
- The Recon 70 has poor frequency response consistency.
- The passive soundstage is poor as well as mediocre leakage performance.
- Lacks any virtual soundstage features.
- The Turtle Beach Recon 70’s noise isolation performance is bad. They do not do that much better with dealing with ambient noise in the mid-range, so you might hear a lot of background chatter from nearby activities.
- The boom microphone may struggle to fully separate speech from ambient noise in louder settings.
- The Turtle Beach Recon 70 does not have a companion app for customization options.
Quick Comparison of Turtle Beach Recon 70 with competitors
When compared with the AmazonBasics Pro Gaming Headset, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 provides many advantages such as sturdier build quality and stronger microphone output. The AmazonBasics Pro Gaming Headset provides improved comfort and sound quality over the Recon 70. The biggest difference is that the AmazonBasics Pro costs much more than the Recon 70.
If going wireless is your priority, then the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless Gaming Headset should be on your radar. It includes a USB-C dongle for wireless connectivity to your PlayStation 4, PC, or Nintendo Switch. It is more expensive than the Recon 70 but gives you gamer features and comfort. The extra features mean it is more complex than and not as simple to use as the Recon 70.
The Razer Kraken X also offers eyewear channels, so it is probably a better option for bespectacled gamers.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha has more accurate audio output and a more comfortable and durable build. Though it has better isolation, it costs more than twice the price of the Recon 70.
Conclusion
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is a budget-friendly gaming headphone that has a decent, well-balanced sound profile and good microphone recording quality. The headset is simple and easy to use just as you would expect and packs a fair punch for its price tag. New and modest gamers will most surely find this headset a worthy companion and is available for $30 on Amazon.
Turtle Beach Recon 200 versus Turtle Beach Recon 70
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 and the Turtle Beach Recon 200 are similar gaming headsets. However, the Recon 70 is more of a hassle than the Recon 200 unless you want the always-on Bass Boost of the Recon 200. Having this feature means the Recon 200 needs a battery, which requires charging after spent. This is a rare feature for a wired headset. Also, the Recon 70’s microphone sounds slightly better and is more comfortable.
On the other hand, the Recon 200 is slightly better built, thanks to a metal-reinforced headband. It has more controls on the ear cups, like microphone levels and pre-sets for easy adjustments.
Both products feature an over-ear, closed-back design with wired connectivity, and are fitted with a boom microphone to the left and a dynamic transducer with no noise cancellation effect.
| Comparison of Turtle Beach Recon 200 against Turtle Beach Recon 70 | ||
| Criteria for comparison | Turtle Beach Recon 200 | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
| Ease of use | Decent | Decent |
| Call music control | No | No |
| Channel mixing | No | No |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Clamping force | 1.2 lbs | 1.2 lbs |
| App support | No | No |
| Additional controls | Preset | No |
| Microphone | 6.7 | 7.5 |
| Passive soundstage | 5.8 | 6.8 |
| Virtual soundstage | 0 | 0 |
| Isolation | 5.5 | 4.4 |
| Frequency response consistency | 6.4 | 5.4 |
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kyD9wyN_D4
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 is the successor to the Turtle Beach Stealth 600, which was a great wireless gaming headset from Turtle Beach. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 is a simple, affordable, wireless gaming headset with extended battery life. It has great audio and an excellent microphone. Any gamer looking for a simple headset that works across platforms, including the Sony PlayStation 5, is in for a real treat with the Stealth 600 Gen 2.
Design of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 is constructed entirely out of plastic, with a sturdy hinge system that allows for a decent tilt and rotation. The headband features a leatherette-covered pad, which fits quite tightly with a bit of tension creating a very secured and firm grip. This is especially important as it is expected of users to move more around with the headset when compared to wired headsets.
Turtle Beach addressed the issues surrounding users with glasses or thick hair by creating earpads covered in mesh fabric designed with grooves underneath for more comfort. The result is soft earpads and a decent seal. However, the mesh fabric does not offer great isolation when compared with the leatherette, but it does manage heat well, giving gamers a soothing experience for longer sessions.
Gaming with the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2
Gaming with the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 cannot get any simpler than this. This headset is highly compatible with PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch. There is also an Xbox version, compatible with both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X. With the PlayStation 5, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 supports the platform’s built-in spatial audio standard, adding to gamer experience. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 wireless gaming headset for PS5 and PS4 offers a definitive gaming advantage with enhancements to fit and performance. It is optimized for PS5 3D Audio.
Compatibility
Using the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 is fairly simple, easy and straightforward. This wireless gaming headset connects to your console, PC or any other platform of choice using a 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle. There is essentially no need for a setup to use the headset – just plug it in and it works smoothly. However, pairing with the dongle can take a little bit longer than you would expect. This headset is highly compatible with PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch.
The Turtle Beach Hub app exists merely for updating the headset’s firmware, so it is easy for users to work around and it comes with Turtle Beach’s SuperHuman Hearing feature, which is advertised to amplify in-game sounds like footsteps.
Battery Life
The Stealth 600 Gen 2 has an advertised 15 hours of playback on a single charge but our testing found it performed considerably better than that. Playing at a consistent output of 75dB, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 lasted over 21 hours of playback on a single charge. That is a lot of gaming hour sessions at a go. The battery could last longer if used at a consistently lower playing output although there is no reliable way to know the exact battery charge level. However, after a couple of hours plugged in with the included USB-C cord, you will be ready to go again. Further, it automatically turns off after 5 minutes of inactivity, preventing battery drain.
Sound
There is notable de-emphasis in the high range around 4kHz when it comes to sound but other than that, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 is very much accurate for a gaming headset. With such Frequency response, music of virtually all genres will sound exactly the way they should. The dip in the highs means that sounds of some strings and cymbals might come through a little less clear, but not so much that you would struggle to hear them.
In gaming sessions, a sound profile of this nature means that all sound effects should come through just as loud as game developers intended, so there should be no observable auditory masking making it hard to hear sounds like footsteps. The sound signature is a great improvement when compared with standard gaming headsets because most alternatives amplify bass notes to a disturbing degree. Although it is cool to hear explosions and rapid gunfire, this can ultimately impair your gameplay.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 is equipped with four EQ presets, which you can toggle using the mode button. Added to the default signature sound profile, there is a bass boost option, a bass and treble boost option and a vocal boost option.
All these sound features make the Stealth 600 Gen 2 feel awesome. However, in terms of isolation properties, do not expect much. With its adequate seal, this headset offers an inadequate level of attenuation partly due to the grooves for the glasses, mesh covering the ear pads, the rigidity of the foam or the three factors combined.
Microphone
Turtle Beach is known to feature very accurate microphones on their gaming headsets, except for their noticeable downside of volume problems. Users can expect just as accurate microphone from the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 without any related volume issues. Simply put, this is one of the best gaming microphones available to games in today’s gaming headset market.
Cons of Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2
- The boom microphone is not detachable.
- The ear cups feel a bit tighter than the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless as they clamp a bit more at the bottom of the ear, which should be a plus for me but it depends on the user.
- Their bulky design may not fit easily into your bag just like most over-ear gaming headsets. They are not very portable.
- Intense movements can cause it to move off your ears or fall off your head.
- The Stealth 600 Gen 2 is lacking a bit of low bass, so action-packed scenes may feel less tense.
- Depending on its fit, seal, and positioning on the user’s head, it can have an inconsistent delivery, especially in the bass and treble ranges.
- The under-emphasis in the low-mids can make lead instruments sound thin.
- The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 has a fair leakage performance so it should not bother the people around you unless it is being used at high volumes. The overall leakage is not too loud.
- Stealth 600 Gen 2 has poor noise isolation effect and struggles to block out higher frequency sounds.
- The microphone has a poor noise handling performance.
- The Stealth 600 Gen 2 also has a bit of latency, which may be a turn-off for some gamers.
- The PS4 variant of these headphones is not compatible with the Xbox One so users have to get an Xbox variant.
Quick Comparison of Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 with competitors
The benefit of the Kaira Pro is its microphone frequency response, which effectively reduces the proximity effect, due to the closeness of the speaker. Proximity effect is when low notes become distorted and too loud when the speaker is too close to the microphone. Apart from this, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 is a better gaming headset and users get much for less money.
While the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless can block out ambient noise like air conditioner hums better than the Stealth 600 Gen 2, and there, therefore, has a better isolation effect, it lags in the microphone. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 has a better microphone, which accurately reproduces voices and lacks any significant low-end roll-off as experienced in most gaming headsets, including the Arctis 1 Wireless. In general, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 has better sound quality, with a more neutral-leaning sound signature than the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless, making it a better gaming headset.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 has a few advantages over the Razer BlackShark V2 gaming headset such as a much better microphone and a more neutral-leaning sound signature that transmits accurate audio. It also supports wireless connectivity. That does not mean the Razer BlackShark V2 gaming headset is a weakling, it packs firepower in much better quality over the Stealth 600 Gen2 in areas such as better laid-back design that is suitable for gaming and conference calls, better isolation performance and much more comfortable ear cups.
Conclusion
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 easily stands out on a lofty spot as one of the best gaming headsets. An excellent sounding gaming headset with strong battery life coupled with an excellent microphone, easy to use, available in Xbox One and PS4 variants and is very comfortable.
In an over-crowded market of less than $100 gaming headset, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 is a masterpiece and is highly sought after. You should try it. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 is available on Amazon for $100
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 looks and feels much similar to the Stealth 600 Gen 2. It has a lot in common visually with the company’s popular Recon line so we might be mentioning similar traits and defects. For brevity, we will not be explaining deeply.
The headset is built mainly from plastic with a metal strip running through the headband, making it pretty light. Turtle Beach designed a great dual-hinge system that allows for a decent range of tilt. The earpads are made of memory foam with a cooling gel layer covered in leatherette and fabric. It also possesses carved channels in the ear pads for reducing pressure on the frames.
Turtle Beach Audio Hub is compatible with the Stealth 700 Gen 2. While the desktop version only supports firmware updates for the headset. Users need the mobile version if they want access to a handful of EQ presets, the SuperHuman Hearing setting, and the option to remap a couple of the controls.
Gaming with the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is easy to set up and is comfortable enough for lengthy gaming periods. Since the headset is built for the PlayStation 5, it does not offer anything in the way of virtual surround sound. The PlayStation 5 console has its own built-in spatial audio standard, and that works well with the headset.
Battery life
Turtle Beach advertised that the Stealth 700 Gen 2 can last up to 20 hours on a single charge, but after testing, we found it far exceeded that time limit. At a constant output of 75dB, the headset lasted for 35 hours 24 minutes of playback on a single charge. That creates not only essentially 75% longer than advertised but it also makes the Stealth 700 Gen 2 one of the few gaming headsets with the best battery qualities available in today’s gaming world.
Sound
In terms of sound, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 offers accurate audio for a gaming headset but it is not immune to common issues. Audio in the mid and high end are relatively accurate, but bass gets a big boost. A sound profile of this nature is great for EDM and other music genres where hearing highly intense and dominant bass sounds is desirable to users. The SuperHuman hearing mode does dramatically change the headset’s frequency response, and it is meant to make in-game cues and directions come through more clearly.
Superhuman Hearing Mode
This mode actually reduces output on bass notes less than 100Hz and high frequency sounds past 10 kHz. It also increases the headset’s overall volume. This improves gaming sessions by making sure that the rumble of explosions and gunfire would not get in the way of subtler audio cues.
Isolation and Microphone
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 has average isolation for a gaming headset. Users would not run into any trouble with the normal sounds but they are not great for outdoor usage.
The Stealth 700 Gen 2 is no exception when it comes to a very accurate microphone. Its microphone features accurate audio output across the vocal spectrum, including in the bass range.
Cons of Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2
- The headset itself is somewhat bulky and heavy.
- Like other gaming headsets, Stealth 700 Gen 2 is not very portable and the rigid headband makes for harder packing and storage.
- The multi-function button is not the most responsive, and may incorrectly register inputs.
- The obvious weak point in the construction is the ear cup yokes.
- There is some pronounced variation in their treble range depending on their fit and positioning around the users head.
- Stealth 700 Gen 2 has a disappointing treble accuracy. However, this is dependent on the seal created with the user’s ear.
- Users need an Xbox Wireless Adapter to Windows Sonic Spatial Audio on Xbox when using on a PC that does not have Xbox Wireless technology.
- The noise isolation performance is poor as it blocks out almost no bass-range ambient noise.
- The audio leakage performance is also poor and bystanders are bound to get angry if the headset is used at high volumes.
- The boom microphone has weak noise handling capability.
- They are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 but not with NFC or multi-device pairing.
Quick Comparison of Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 with competitors
The LucidSound LS50X is a great premium pick with Bluetooth capabilities and a perfectly fine microphone. However, it is more expensive than the Stealth 700 Gen 2 gaming headset, which offers about the same or little fewer features.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless are slightly more versatile than the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless. The SteelSeries have a more comfortable fit, an easier-to-use control scheme and a more neutral default sound profile, not to mention superior microphone noise handling. On the other hand, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless has a more stable fit and lower non-Bluetooth latency.
As with the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless, the Astro is more comfortable, delivers audio more consistently, and has better microphone noise handling capability. On the other hand, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless is slightly more portable, blocks out more ambient noise, has a more stable fit, and lasts longer on a single charge.
Conclusion
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is a Bluetooth-enabled gaming headset available in both Xbox-compatible and PC/PS 4-compatible variants. The headset has a great build quality, an impressively stable fit, accurate microphone, and a frame that is comfortable for a long gaming session.
It is definitely worth the value of its price tag as users are assured of a great experience using the Stealth 700 Gen 2. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is available on Amazon for $150.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 versus Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless is overall better than the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Wireless as it is an improvement on the company’s line of “Stealth” gaming headsets. The Stealth 700 has a more comprehensive control scheme, a superior boom microphone, better build, stronger quality, and deliver audio more consistently. They are also Bluetooth-compatible, allowing you to connect to your phone or laptop without the need for an adapter. Meanwhile, the Stealth 600 is more comfortable.
Both stealth series headsets feature an over-ear and closed-back design with wireless connectivity technology fitted with a boom microphone to the left and a dynamic transducer with no noise cancellation effect.
| Comparison of Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 against Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 | ||
| Criteria for comparison | Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless | Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 |
| Ease of use | Okay | Okay |
| Call music control | Yes | No |
| Channel mixing | Yes | No |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | Non-Bluetooth |
| Clamping force | 1.6 lbs | 1.3 lbs |
| App support | 8.0 | 4.5 |
| Additional controls | 7.2 | 5.4 |
| Microphone | 8.7 | 6.5 |
| Passive soundstage | 5.6 | 6.2 |
| Virtual soundstage | 4 | 0 |
| Isolation | 6.0 | 6.4 |
| Frequency response consistency | 8.2 | 6.1 |
Other Worthy Mentions from Turtle Beach
Of course, Turtle Beach has other amazing, excellent and awesome gaming headsets, which are noteworthy. Coupled with brilliant microphone capabilities and sleek designs, we would not have done justice to this review without mentioning a few of them.
Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 SuperAmp
Arguably, one of the best Turtle Beach headsets for wired gaming is the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 SuperAmp. This wired headset is very comfortable due to its thick ear padding, deep ear cups, flexible and well-padded headband. The Elite Pro 2 SuperAmp is available in either a PS4 or an Xbox One variant and features a large SuperAmp knob, which connects to your console via USB and allows you to control audio easily during gaming sessions. Users can connect these headsets to their phones via Bluetooth. That said, the headset could only be used wired, so they will not work as Bluetooth headphones while on-the-go, which is such a turn off.
The Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 SuperAmp is quite big, bulky and is poor at blocking out background noise. As with other Turtle Beach’s gaming headsets, its microphone is excellent, meaning your voice will sound full-bodied and easy to hear, even in noisy environments. This headset is quite inconsistent across various users, so users may experience sound reproduction differently if they wear glasses or have long hair but the Elite Pro 2 SuperAmp has a fairly balanced sound profile, so it is well suited to mix in a variety of music genres to your games.
Turtle Beach Recon 50X/Recon 50P
The Turtle Beach Recon 50X/Recon 50P is wired design so users do not have to worry about latency or running out of battery when using this headset, with a lightweight framework and detachable boom microphone. The microphone has an amazing recording quality, so your voice sounds clear to your teammates, even if you are gaming in a noisy environment. Generally, this headset has a decent, balanced, though slightly muddy sound profile. It is probably the best Turtle Beach headset for on-the-budget users.
Unfortunately, its stiff ear cups may not fit comfortably for all users. They also struggle to isolate background noise and leak a bit of sound.
Turtle Beach Battle Buds
These unique in-ears have a small detachable boom microphone that connects to the left earbuds but can be easily removed. Also, its large earbuds stick out far enough from your ear to reduce fatigue thereby increasing comfort. They are designed to be much more breathable so your ears will not get hot during long gaming sessions. The microphone’s performance is quite decent overall, and the boom microphone helps to separate your voice from background noise.
Unfortunately, their sound profile is a bit muddy, and while they may be awesome for video game sounds, they likely will not be the best choice to listen to vocal-centric genres like pop or rock music. The Battle Buds are decent wired gaming headsets.
Quick Hack: Ever wondered why pro-gamers wear a second set of headsets?
Here is why: The second pair they have on is a noise-reducing pair, which usually transmits white noise to ensure a relatively distraction-free gaming environment. Go ahead and try it too but make sure you give us feedback on how it worked for you.
Final Word
On a general note, Turtle Beach gaming headsets are decent and often possess unique features that create a bit more versatility in them. The inclusion of Bluetooth in many of their headsets makes them more convenient for casual use, which appeals to customers who love to use headsets on the move. Again, Turtle Beach makes gaming headsets at a variety of price ranges that are generally affordable and this makes them popular among various levels of potential customers.
So whether you are looking for a single pair of headset that can be used while gaming at home or as well as on-the-go connects to your phone, then Turtle Beach is most likely the right brand for your new headset.
