As a gaming enthusiast and audio connoisseur with over two decades of experience under my belt, let me tell you about my latest obsession: the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3). This bad boy is not just another gaming headset; it’s a game-changer that has left me utterly smitten.
Delve into our review of the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 headset. Once more, Turtle Beach has unveiled a top-tier gaming headset, and if its specifications are any indication, it may well rank among their finest offerings.
Turtle Beach has made some of my all-time favorite headsets, including the Stealth Pro which ranks high among Xbox headsets and is a product we often suggest. However, it can be quite pricey… Could there be an alternative that’s around $100 less? The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 might just offer that with its potential benefits.
Boasting extensive cross-platform compatibility, dual-source sound mixing through Bluetooth 5.2, high-quality materials, and an impressive battery life of up to 80 hours, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) truly embodies the qualities of a market frontrunner. But does it live up to expectations? In essence, yes, and more than that in practice.
Read our full Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) review below to find out more.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3): Specs & Price
The latest version of the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) matches up with its earlier “700” series models, retailing at $199. Earlier versions of the 700 series have typically been priced between $130 and $150, varying by generation. However, it appears that Turtle Beach is shifting this headset towards a more premium market with Generation 3, while also keeping pace with changing gaming user preferences.
The headset can be easily purchased at prominent stores such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Turtle Beach’s official site. However, due to its recent release, it’s not expected to go on sale for upcoming events like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day in the near future. But rest assured, we’ll keep you updated if there are any price adjustments. At best, a small discount might be applied.
At first glance, the specifications appear quite typical. However, the premium Turtle Beach headsets consistently feature leatherette cups lined with memory foam, as expected. The standard frequency response ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz, though this doesn’t fully reveal the audio quality (more on that later). The standout feature is likely the dual USB wireless sound switching – instead of a single transmitter with two cables, Turtle Beach has opted for separate USB dongles for PC and Xbox, making it easy to switch between them. Additionally, there’s Bluetooth 5.2 with dual-audio mixing, and various on-ear controls to adjust audio levels for all the different features.
So how good is it in practice? Read on for our full Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) review.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3): Features, Design, and Comfort
Upon opening my Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3, I thought it would be an average mid-level product with nothing extraordinary to offer. However, I must admit that my initial skepticism was unfounded; this product has exceeded my expectations.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is exceptionally well-crafted, boasting high-quality materials, robust construction, and a stylish design. Remarkably, these features are usually found in headsets priced around $300, like the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro. Yet, this model retails for just $199, offering an incredible value that you’re sure to appreciate as well.
For over a decade, I’ve been examining Turtle Beach headsets, watching the company transition from their brightly colored, plastic playthings with neon splashes to more sophisticated, professional, upscale designs, featuring subtle highlights and metallic accents. The Stealth 700 (Gen 3) aligns perfectly with this new image, refining on its Gen 2 predecessor by focusing particularly on comfort and durability.
The headband sports a plush memory foam covering, linking the cups with a blend of leatherette and soft fabric that provides a comfortable, refreshing touch on your ears. Despite their size, they aren’t bulky, but you might perceive them differently. This time, these headphones are equipped with large 60mm drivers and a closed-back design for exceptional isolation and deep bass. However, we’ll delve deeper into the sound quality shortly. This headset is incredibly comfortable to wear, placing it among the most comfortable headsets I’ve used in a while. Even with my larger than average head, I found the adjustment levels more than sufficient for most users.
The on-ear controls are designed with an intuitive layout that uses distinct tactile textures to aid in memory formation when you locate them with your hand. In all, there are three volume adjusters – one for PC audio, another for the chat/game mix balance of Xbox, and a third for Bluetooth audio levels. This headset allows you to blend sound sources from one USB wireless 2.4 GHz device and one Bluetooth 5.2 device, such as smartphones, televisions, tablets, or any other devices with Bluetooth connectivity.
During my tests, I discovered that the wireless signals are effectively separated from one another, thereby minimizing interference when combining different sound sources. This enabled me to effortlessly play games on my Xbox while streaming music or Discord audio via Bluetooth from my PC simultaneously. Additionally, the multi-purpose pairing button operates smoothly for functions like skipping tracks and pausing when using the headset outside. Notably, the microphone can be inconspicuously hidden with a practical “flip to mute” design.
Perhaps the biggest criticism I can throw at the Stealth 700 (Gen 3) in terms of features stems from its firmware update cycle. Updating the firmware on the headset requires you to connect not one, but both USB dongles to a power source simultaneously, while also running the update from the mobile version of the app. If you don’t have access to a laptop or a PC, you might struggle to keep the headset up to date. Generally speaking, it seems the out-of-the-box firmware was already polished and bug free, but it’s worth being aware of the issues you might have updating otherwise. It also took a seriously long time to get the update through. I feel as though there must be a better way here, but it’s also not a huge deal.
Regarding the mobile app, Turtle Beach’s software, Swarm II, is generally well-received. This application, compatible with both mobile devices and PC, can be conveniently obtained from Turtle Beach’s official support website. From what I’ve observed, both versions seem to offer identical features. These include Equalizer presets, adjustments for mic monitoring volume, and the option to customize certain buttons.
Competitors of Turtle Beach have aggressively collaborated with game publishers to create customized Equalizer (EQ) presets designed specifically for various games. In contrast, Turtle Beach’s out-of-the-box EQ presets are relatively standard, offering only a few options such as bass boost, bass and treble boost, vocal boost, and Turtle Beach Signature Sound. While users can customize additional profiles if desired, it would have been beneficial to see more predefined options available in the product itself. However, it’s possible that these extra options may not be necessary for all users.
With Turtle Beach’s signature sound already delivering an impressive experience on its own, I’ll delve deeper into that in the coming section. However, there are additional features designed to elevate your gaming experience as well. One such feature is the return of Turtle Beach’s “Superhuman Hearing,” though it’s oddly not activated by default and cannot be toggled using the “mode” button. This is something they might want to address in a future update. When enabled, you can significantly boost the frequency ranges where sounds like footsteps, movements, and gunshots are typically found. However, turning this on may diminish the cinematic aspect of the games you’re playing, but it will undeniably provide a tactical advantage. Turtle Beach’s “Legacy” Superhuman Hearing mode appears to strike a balance between cinematic quality and enhanced tactical sound to some extent.
Alright, since we’ve been discussing sound aspects, let me share my personal experience with this headset’s audio quality. What does it truly sound like? That’s what I’d love to explore more.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3): Audio and Mic Experience
Currently, I’ve reviewed numerous headsets, leaving me less frequently awestruck. There are exceptional headsets across various price ranges, designs, dimensions, and functionalities, but it’s uncommon to find a headset that leaves me saying “this is a recommendation for almost everyone.” It’s been a while since I could confidently say this about a Turtle Beach headset, as they often come with certain conditions or drawbacks that make them less universally recommended. However, I’m happy to report that the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) not only meets the criteria; the more I use it, the more I believe this could be the best value-for-money Xbox and PC gaming headset available at present.
For cinematic video game sound, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is simply immaculate. Cavernous 60mm drivers deliver some of the best soundscaping I’ve experienced in a product that nails so many of the other fundamentals, while also being so impressively feature rich. The bass is sweeping, warm, and rich, with punchy activations that reminisce of IMAX cinema experiences. Truly sublime.
As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I must say that the unique blend of superior closed-back isolation and 60mm drivers in this headset offers an incredibly immersive audio experience, boasting exceptional detailing and separation that ranks among the best I’ve encountered in a gaming headset. Frankly, it’s hard to believe such top-notch quality is available at the $199 price point, especially considering all the extra features Turtle Beach has cleverly incorporated into this product.
In terms of strategic audio, Turtle Beach consistently uses its Superhuman Hearing technology, as I mentioned before. Personally, I opt for the “Legacy” setting which amplifies spatial awareness and boosts frequencies where player actions usually occur. This setting doesn’t completely strip out cinematic effects while playing, making it suitable even for those not aiming to be top-tier esports players.
For cinematic video game sound, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is simply immaculate.
If you’re aiming for the greatest edge, the Superhuman “Footsteps” preset will specifically filter out that frequency, offering a significant tactical benefit at the cost of cinematic elements. Personally, I don’t particularly enjoy this mode because it gives the audio a thin, muffled quality that can disrupt immersion. However, that’s exactly its purpose – to amplify footsteps so much that it seems almost unfair to employ, revealing enemy movements with uncanny accuracy.
It would have been great to form more alliances with publishers since many competitors are doing the same, but it’s not a deal-breaker if we don’t. You can certainly create your own profiles and EQ settings using the app, but the “Signature Sound” profile was clear enough for my tastes without needing any adjustments – something I don’t say very frequently.
There are a couple of criticisms worth mentioning here, though.
https://w.soundcloud.com/player/
Following my evaluation of the Astro A50 headset this month, its microphone impressed me so much that I speculated whether this might be indicative of a broader movement in the headset industry. However, after further investigation, it appears that this is not currently the prevailing trend.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 has a microphone that needs improvement, as demonstrated in the audio clip provided. It’s not terrible, but it is its weakest feature in an otherwise excellent product. Turtle Beach advertises this mic as “A.I. enhanced,” but it’s unclear how it improves the user experience. I was also let down by the noise gate function. Even when set to its minimum, the noise gate still tries to filter out some noise occasionally and can be slow to react when you start speaking, cutting off the beginning of your sentences. This issue might be due to early software problems that could be resolved with a future update. Unfortunately, the mic monitoring is not as clear or responsive as other options available, but it does manage to get the job done.
When everything else shines, the minor flaws become more noticeable. For instance, the microphone quality is average and doesn’t meet the standards for content creation or live streaming, but it works well enough for casual conversations like parties or chats on Discord with friends. The mute function is conveniently placed and easy to use, however, the feel of the mic arm could be more reassuring than it currently is.
Overall, there isn’t much negative to comment on in this case. This might be one of the most well-rounded and reasonably priced Xbox and PC gaming headsets I’ve encountered in a while.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3): Competition
It’s tough to pinpoint precisely what sets the Stealth 700 Gen 3 apart from its competitors, but its combination of features is hard to beat at this price point. Compared to more expensive models like the Astro A50 Gen 5 and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, I believe they may lack in audio quality, focusing instead on extra features.
Among current Xbox headsets, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) stands out for its excellent sound quality, comparable to that of headsets such as Audeze Maxwell, BeoPlay Portal, and Razer Blackshark V2 Pro. Additionally, it likely surpasses these competitors in terms of features, and sometimes even price.
Looking at the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3), it’s hard for me to imagine using any other headsets I own. It excels in every aspect compared to its competitors, often doing so more effectively. With Bluetooth 5.2 sound mixing, effortless switching between two wireless USB sources across both Xbox and PC, an integrated retractable microphone, exceptional comfort, and top-notch quality, this headset stands out as a leader in the market from my perspective.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3): Should you buy?
I strongly endorse the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) as an all-in-one choice for individuals seeking top-tier multi-platform functionality without sacrificing audio quality. The achievement by Turtle Beach in delivering this product at a reasonable price, while not compromising on features, is truly impressive.
You should buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) if:
You enjoy gaming across various platforms such as Xbox and PC, and you’re looking for an effortless transition between them.
You should not buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) if:
❌ You want a headset that can also offer content creation grade mic quality.
In my assessment of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro, I found that some of its extra features didn’t seem to match the price it aimed for. However, the convenience of swappable batteries and a single signal source for multiple devices were appealing aspects. Nevertheless, the Stealth 700 (Gen 3) seems to provide much of the same experience as the Stealth Pro, but at a significantly lower cost. The impressive 80-hour battery life eliminates the need for swappable batteries, and the retractable mic outperforms the detachable one for mobile use. Moreover, the sound quality is exceptional, further solidifying Turtle Beach’s reputation as my preferred headset manufacturer.
The Stealth 700 (Gen 3) consistently demonstrates being a step ahead in soundscaping at competitive prices, leaving no room for dissatisfaction for its buyers. In simpler terms, this headset is certain to impress everyone who purchases it.
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2024-11-09 17:10