Played on a CLX Gaming PC
I think I’m ready to delve into yet another piece of Turtle Beach’s hardware—the Stealth 500 and Stealth 600 Gen 3 headsets are finally here, and I was able to test these impressive budget variants out. With its blend of comfort, quality, and innovation – these new models promise to continue that tradition with upgraded features and enhanced performance. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a competitive esports player, these headsets are designed to meet your needs. Let’s dive in and see how they stack up!
Stealth 500
The Stealth 500 sports a sleek, modern design that balances functionality with a bit of flair. The adjustable floating headband is a game-changer for comfort, distributing weight evenly and reducing pressure points. The ear cushions are made from a breathable fabric that keeps your ears cool during those marathon gaming sessions. The build quality is surprisingly solid, yet the headset remains lightweight enough for extended wear. It feels durable enough to withstand the daily grind of a serious gamer, which is always a plus in my book. Connectivity is where the Stealth 500 partway shines, though. It features low-latency 2.4GHz wireless for a seamless gaming experience and Bluetooth 5.2 for added versatility. This dual connectivity allows you to switch between gaming on your console, PC, or mobile device effortlessly – but only switching, not simultaneously. This is a feature I believe should be standard for all headsets from budget-range onwards and while it’s a step in the right direction, it’s still a miss for me.
The Stealth 500 is equipped with 40mm drivers that deliver clear and immersive audio. While it might not have the 50mm drivers found in more expensive models like the 600 Gen 3 model, it still offers a rich, well-balanced sound profile. Explosions, footsteps, and ambient sounds come through with impressive clarity, ensuring you don’t miss any critical audio cues. There was once a time where 40mm drivers was peak gaming, and it’s still more than enough for gaming today. The headset also supports surround sound, adding an extra layer of immersion. This feature is particularly useful for competitive gaming, where directional audio can give you a significant edge over your opponents.
Communication is key in team-based games, and the Stealth 500’s microphone delivers. Whether you’re coordinating with teammates or chatting with friends, your voice will always be heard loud and clear. The ability to flip-to-mute lays flushed within the earcup’s design, maintaining its sleekness. Battery life is another strong point for the Stealth 500. It offers up to 40 hours of playtime on a single charge, easily outlasting many competitors in the same price range. And if you need a quick boost, the quick-charge feature will get you back in the game in no time. Unfortunately, this headset really works natively with XBOX – every other device would need to connect via Bluetooth.
Stealth 600 Gen 3
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 introduces a sleeker design with a contemporary matte finish and subtle branding that removes the floating band in favor of a more premium look. Its adjustable headband ensures a comfortable and secure fit for extended gaming sessions, while the plush ear cushions provide exceptional comfort, allowing for immersive gameplay without discomfort. It’s definitely a step up from the 500 model, almost by a whole league. It’s traditional overall, but very much welcomed. One of the standout features of the Stealth 600 Gen 3 is its superior audio performance in comparison. Equipped with powerful 50mm drivers, this headset delivers immersive sound quality, elevating every gaming experience. This falls in line with the upper echelon of headsets, providing unparalleled audio clarity and depth.
The Stealth 600 Gen 3 offers seamless wireless connectivity for hassle-free gaming. With its user-friendly USB transmitter, this headset provides a reliable connection to your gaming platform, granting you the freedom to move without constraints. You can get up to 80hrs of battery life before using the fast charge feature, which is more than optimal. Of course, clear communication essential here as well, and the Stealth 600 Gen 3 delivers with its high-quality microphone. Featuring a flip-to-mute design, this microphone ensures crystal-clear voice chat, allowing for effective coordination with teammates. All of its EQ features can be adjusted via the Swarm II app or PC software. Additionally, AI-noise cancelling is present here through the microphone – which works rather well and mitigates any true need to tune your noise-gate. Game/Voice chat mixing and Bluetooth to wireless switching. But just like the rest of the models, there’s no simultaneous dual connection here.
REVIEW SCORE: 8.5/10
There are some clear upgrades with these models, one I think older gen users should consider upgrading to. While it does have about 80% of needed features, it does lack in some areas regarding dual connection. Otherwise, these are elite-level budget headset that should be more than enough for all users.
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