I love the immersion a headset brings to the overall gaming experience. It enhances my gaming sessions and makes me feel like I am actually part of what is unfolding before me. The best gaming sessions are distraction-free.
Turtle Beach has recently released the Stealth 600 Gen 2 gaming headset for both PS4 and Xbox One (compatible with PS5 or Xbox One Series X). I recently tested Gen 2 for Xbox and can say the headset earns its “stealth” name. It intensifies my gaming session by allowing minimal distraction.
The Design
If you have ever seen a simple Turtle Beach Headset, you have seen this one. There is nothing overtly thrilling about the Stealth 600’s look. They are minimalistic in design, but I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. In a world where RGB lighting and flashy style dominate gaming, I actually enjoy seeing a simple approach from time to time. Pretty lights on a product do not necessarily equate to great quality.
The ear cups are made of mesh and are quite warm if worn for an extended time. I find the headset to be tight, but this also helps block out external sound and adds to the in-game immersion. I have to check if I put the headset on correctly from time to time as it is challenging to distinguish the left and right earpieces, but over time I realized the controls are meant to be behind the left ear. The controls are intuitive and thanks to a distinction in button size, it is easy to differentiate the power button from the “mode” button (more on that below). The Stealth 600 Gen 2 is basic in concept, but thankfully some additional features and great sound make up for this basic design.
The Features
There are separate dials to change the volume of games and chat sessions, so when my friends sound too loud on the set, I simply reach up and dial them down. There is also a “mode” button that has seven different presets to cater to my preferred style of play. Each mode offers a different preset. I prefer bass boost to enhance the sound of explosions, and I occasionally use voice boost to enhance story-driven games. The headset is compatible with Windows if you happen to have a wireless dongle for it, however, it is not included.
Perhaps the best feature on this headset is the reason it is called “stealth”. You can easily adjust the microphone flush to the headset making it virtually invisible. This also mutes the mic. My only opportunity to game anymore is at night when my kids are sleeping. I’ve lost count of the times they magically “need a snack” during an intense battle with friends. The quick flip mic to mute is handy and minimizes real-life distraction for others.
The Experience
Connecting the wireless Turtle Beach Stealth 600 headset to my Xbox One S (Digital Edition) is a breeze. Just like an Xbox controller, it is a press of the button and the connection happens. I mostly tested these while playing Star Wars Battlefront 2 and felt like I was immersed in another world. Lightsabers make the perfect hum in my eardrums, blasters bring the nostalgic “pew” sound without flaw, and I can hear footsteps and find enemies quickly, simply by listening.
The headset comfortably fits over my glasses, and I can hear my voice to monitor volume levels when playing in a party. The sound is good, and while I sometimes wish there was more bass, I can use the bass boost to enhance the sound. Overall, the quality of sound is really good for a wireless gaming headset.
The Decision
Turtle Beach offers a quality competitive gaming headset in the Stealth 600 Gen 2. If you are looking for a minimalist design with great features and sound quality for your PC or console, be sure to give these a hard look. The headset is only going to work with your console (or PC). If you are looking for a wireless headset that works with any device beyond this, you will be disappointed. With new consoles on the way, Turtle Beach did the right thing and released these with next-Gen compatibility. This alone may make the Stealth 600s worth your purchase. Happy gaming!