Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 Wireless Headset Review

For gamers who constantly move between PCs and consoles, headsets that pair with multiple sources are often costly. The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max is popular because it works in nearly any gaming setup for a reasonable price. Also, like most Turtle Beach headsets, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max boasts excellent battery life and an adaptable fit. While it would seem difficult to improve upon this effort, the new Stealth 600 Gen 3 packs an even larger battery and Bluetooth connectivity.

With competition fierce among mid-range contenders, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 can't afford many missteps to become one of the best gaming headsets. Facing similarly priced rivals from Razer and SteelSeries, sound quality is paramount, as is the clarity of the headset's mic. Turtle Beach's acquisition of Roccat has also led to a new app that supports a wider variety of gaming gear. To see how these changes affect the Stealth 600 Gen 3 for better or worse, Game Rant was sent a sample of the headset to evaluate.

Contents of Package

This white version of the Stealth 600 Gen 3 ships in a compact cardboard box, touting its compatibility with Xbox consoles.

Inside the box, the packaging is minimal, with recyclable materials and some wrapping protecting the headset itself. Gamers will also find a small quick-start guide sitting on top of the device.

The wireless USB dongle is tucked into a cutout in the middle of the container below a 2.3-foot USB-C to USB-A charging cable. Although it would be a stretch to call this premium packaging, gamers can have the headset unboxed and ready for action within minutes.

Design and Comfort

Gamers accustomed to wearing the Stealth 600 Gen 2 or Gen 2 Max won't be shocked by the appearance of Turtle Beach's latest headset. Nevertheless, there are some changes worth noting. The Gen 3 weighs 320 grams, heavier than the Gen 2 Max's 295-gram frame. The much larger rechargeable battery and enhanced wireless connectivity most likely contribute to the added girth. While the Stealth 600 Gen 3 isn't the most portable headset, it's still considerably lighter than the metal-dominated 400-gram Stealth Pro. If buyers prefer a mostly all-black design, both the Xbox and PlayStation versions of the headset are sold in that alternate color scheme.

Turtle Beach doesn't include a carrying case with the Gen 3, but the earcups swivel enough for the headset to lay flat for packing. Of course, owners will need to find a place to safely store the USB dongle if Bluetooth connectivity isn't sufficient. Observers may note that Turtle Beach has simplified the headset's design somewhat, and the earcups' exterior lacks the previous version's indentation running across their middle.

Hard plastic is the predominant material used in the latest Stealth 600, which allows the headset to remain flexible. The ear cushions utilize athletic weave-wrapped fabric and memory foam to remain comfortable and relatively cool during long gaming sessions. This fabric will be soft enough for most gamers, with only leatherette being any more luxurious. The pleather material covering the headband is even smoother, but there isn't a tremendous amount of padding above it.

Another slight change from the Gen 2 is that the mic is now tucked further inside the left earcup. The microphone remains shielded in sturdy plastic and only wiggles a bit rather than bending to position more closely to mouths. With a conventional sliding headband, listeners should find an acceptable fit, but for some reason, Turtle Beach decided to ditch the helpful ruler markers above the earcups.

The controls on the Stealth 600's left side can be quite crowded, and it will take most users a while to find the smaller buttons with a less tactile feel. There are two volume sliders to control overall and game/chat mix levels set above the QuickSwitch button to toggle between RF and Bluetooth sources. The volume controls stick out from the earcups' surface, which could be problematic if leaning against the back of a gaming chair. Below is the USB-C charging for when the headset's massive 80-hour battery life needs topping up. Higher up on the sloped part of the earcup, gamers will encounter buttons for Bluetooth pairing to switch between EQ presets and a power button that can be held to activate Superhuman hearing.

While testing the headset, my ears never developed any pain or itchiness, and the ear cushions mostly stayed in place even when the headband would move slightly. With breathable ear cushions, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 doesn't excel at noise cancellation, but the earcups apply considerable pressure. Build quality is about what's expected for a mid-range wireless gaming headset, and its sensitive points are reinforced enough to minimize durability concerns.

Setup and Software

With Turtle Beach's takeover of the Roccat gaming brand now showing its full effects, gamers can say goodbye to the Turtle Beach Audio Hub. Swarm II is a single solution for headsets, mice, keyboards, and other former Roccat peripherals. Whenever a manufacturer shifts their software strategies for a product line, there is some cause for concern. Sadly, despite Turtle Beach pushing out numerous software and firmware updates for the Stealth 600 Gen 3 in the weeks leading up to its release, some issues persist. Fortunately, most critical connectivity problems were no longer experienced by the second day of testing.

When first setting up the Stealth 600 Gen 3, things initially looked promising, as the Windows version of the app immediately showed the device. However, each time the headset was powered off/on or switched sources, Swarm II would no longer connect to it. This caused a loop of unplugging and replugging the USB dongle and exiting and reloading the app until the headset reappeared. Windows recognized the headset for basic functionality, but any settings saved in the app wouldn't apply. While now mostly solved, the same problem still occurs when moving the dongle back and forth between consoles and the PC or when it receives another software or firmware update.

Connectivity issues aside, Swarm II runs smoothly and provides access to some useful settings. At the more elementary level, gamers can adjust game and chat volume, microphone sensitivity, and how much of their voice is audible when speaking.

Turtle Beach provides four basic EQ profiles that balance higher and lower frequencies or emphasize one or the other. Users are also free to create presets if they find some tones masked in certain games or music tracks. Gamers can even reassign a few of the physical controls on the headset and create shortcuts to adjust settings with gaming keyboards.

Swarm II is also available as a mobile app, appealing to buyers who spend more time using the Stealth 600 Gen 3 on gaming consoles than on PCs. Many of the same settings found in the PC software are accessible on smartphones, and changes carry over regardless of platform. In fact, there were fewer problems connecting the mobile app to the headset than with the desktop software.

Hopefully, Turtle Beach will continue to stabilize its PC connectivity in the coming weeks. If looking for an alternative approach, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 doesn't function as a wired gaming headset other than its USB-C cable for recharging.

Performance and Usage

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 headsets have always attracted gamers based on their comfort, widespread connectivity, and above-average battery life. Still, many gamers would look elsewhere without adequate sound and microphone quality.

On paper, not much has changed with the Stealth 600 Gen 3 and its 50mm Nanoclear drivers. This technology gives headsets a wider soundstage and pays equal attention to low, mid, and high tones. What gamers hear won't match the precise audio of pricey headsets specifically made for esports, like the AceZone A-Spire. However, Superhuman Hearing gives the more affordable Stealth 600 an advantage in FPS titles like Counter-Strike 2, boosting the volume of footsteps and other vital audio cues.

Superhuman Hearing causes a divisive reaction from most listeners, who claim it causes an echoic soundscape by hyper-focusing on certain sounds. In most cases, gamers are better served reserving the feature for competitive shooters and otherwise relying on the other EQ profiles. Turtle Beach's Signature Sound sounds flat and lacks punch at lower volumes, but it presents the best chance of hearing effects as artists and producers intend. The Stealth 600 Gen 3 doesn't natively support virtual surround sound formats, but PC and Xbox gamers can still implement Dolby Atmos if purchased. Likewise, as with all stereo headsets, the device outputs 3D Audio as a PS5 headset thanks to Sony's Tempest audio engine.

Buyers won't be fooled into thinking they own a $300 set of cans, but the Stealth 600 Gen 3 will satisfy non-audiophiles who rely on it for a variety of content.

Considering its inflexible nature, the unidirectional mic on the Stealth 600 Gen 3 impresses with its volume levels and voice clarity. The microphone was hardly a weak point for the previous Stealth 600s, but Turtle Beach has added cross-platform A.I. noise-reduction technology to eliminate background noises further. It also mutes when flipped back into the left earcup and hides nearly as well as retractable mic designs.

Game Rant reviewed the Xbox version of this headset, which is also compatible with PlayStation consoles. To get around Microsoft's notoriously strict limitations on wireless connectivity, the USB dongle has a toggle switch for Xbox and a mode intended for PCs and PlayStations. Game Rant mainly evaluated the headset on the PC and PS5, with the only limitation being that the secondary volume rocker doesn't adjust party chat volume on Sony's consoles. Only first-party peripherals like the Pulse Elite overcome this restriction, with every other headset user needing to change settings in the console's menus instead. Unless a buyer has a deep hatred for Microsoft, there's really no advantage to purchasing the PlayStation variety of the Stealth 600 Gen 3, which won't work with the Xbox.

The Gen 600 Gen 3 adds to its versatility with Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. Testing it with various phones, tablets, and media players, there were brief audio drops when connected to sources halfway across the room. There were no problems with the low-latency RF connection, but the cause of any wireless interference can be difficult to detect on a crowded gaming desk. It's also impressive how fast the SoundSwitch button can toggle between sources, even if it's impossible to hear two wireless audio sources simultaneously.

Truthfully, Turtle Beach didn't need to nearly double the battery life of Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max, but it's nice to rarely have to recharge the device. If anything, the battery dwindled even more slowly than advertised, and gamers can specify how long before the headset powers itself off when idle.

Conclusion

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 offers a ton of value at an enticing $100 price point. Its 80-hour battery life is superior to nearly any other mid-range competitor, and the Xbox version can pair with all consoles using one wireless adapter. The latest implementation of Superhuman hearing won't win over any skeptics, but the headset can make struggling Call of Duty players more aware of their surroundings. Customizable EQ profiles may satisfy more fussy listeners, while a physical button lets gamers change sound settings on the fly.

When it comes to its comfort levels, most gamers will find that the Stealth 600 Gen 3 can be worn for hours without causing aggravation. On the other hand, its smooth headband covering looks softer than it feels and lacks the cushioning of more premium gear.

More concerning is the headset's PC software, with the transition to Swarm II introducing some annoying pairing problems. Turtle Beach is intent on addressing these issues with regular updates, but until then, the app's mobile version is surprisingly stable and robust.

Despite a few flaws, multi-platform gamers who detest regularly recharging wireless devices shouldn't hesitate to try the Stealth 600 Gen 3. For a modest investment, buyers receive a versatile headset with sound and mic quality that won't lead to regrets.

Related Products

The mid-range headset market is ultra-competitive, with brands like Razer and SteelSeries leading the way. If Xbox gamers desire even more seamless connectivity to their consoles, the Razer Kaira Pro will pair without needing a wireless dongle. Fans of suspension headbands that apply minimal pressure to heads may prefer the recently released and slightly less expensive Turtle Beach Stealth 500. Finally, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5x is another newer headset that offers more sophisticated spatial audio technology through its comprehensive software.

FAQ

Q: Can you connect the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 to a phone?

The newer Stealth 600 Gen 3 has Bluetooth connectivity, which allows it to pair with most mobile phones and tablets. SmartSwitch is a physical button that makes going back and forth between wireless RF and Bluetooth sources painless.

Q: How long do Turtle Beach headsets last?

Like with most headset manufacturers, how durable a headset is depends on the particular model. Usually, higher-end headsets like the Stealth Pro use metal parts to improve their build quality. The Stealth 600 Gen 3 is a less expensive alternative that may not last as long because of its mostly plastic construction.

Q: What does mic monitoring do on Turtle Beach headsets?

With mic monitoring, gamers can adjust how loud their own voices are played through the headset's output. Some listeners find mic monitoring annoying, but it can be useful to confirm how well a mic is working or for calibration.