Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Review

If you are an Xbox or PlayStation gamer that appreciates great sound and comfort even during several hours of gameplay, then the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is one of the classic wireless gaming headsets you must have. Considering its integrated Bluetooth, the headset’s longevity, overwhelming claims, and the aid of virtual surround sound, the design of Stealth 700 Gen 2 intends to improve the experience. For the purpose of this review, I used this headset for a few weeks playing different games, taking calls and even streaming some music to evaluate how well it performs. Let’s take a closer look at how the Stealth 700 Gen 2 performs in the aspects of its design, performance, and other concerns.

Design and Aesthetics

It cannot be denied that the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 serves its target purpose and can be classified under a new modern style. The audio streamer makes no addition to the thick white Windsor oak frame that encompasses the streaming display. I do like this design element – it’s not overly garish – it has a low profile style that can be utilized in a living room setting as well as one’s gaming setup. These ear cups tend to be bigger but are smooth around the edges with a minimalistic Turtle Beach logo on both sides.

Thanks to the glossy band that runs along the top, the headband is entirely black, other than the simple black and white matte band and therefore, is a tad more chic. The sense of design and features says to me that it is oriented towards gamers, but still, it does not have any excessive LED lights or flamboyant colors like so many of the other gaming headsets. Alongside quite an impressive design, the metal adjusting sliders also look elegant and they are there to allow you to adjust the headset to your head size. The overall design is quite functional, there was a lot of innovative thinking put to effect together with a comfortable looking design.

Materials and Build Quality

All the plastics used on the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 surface feel quite nice and robust like Skullcandy Hesh ANC. The ‘Turtle Beach' has created ear cups and headband by combining plastic, metal and memory foam for comfort. The plastic material found on the ear cups is quite a good touch as it is not too sticky to the fingerprints or smudges. The metallic frame of the headband is very strong and allows some movement yet firm enough to assume and retain its shape. A little bit of twisting the headband was possible without any of those worrying creaking noises or gutters bending.

The ear pads are covered with synthetic leather material which although doesn’t wear off easily feels premium. And because it is made out of foam, it does not feel out of place even when worn for many hours. This foam also has a layer of cooling gel which can be very effective during game time where comfort is paramount. And once more the padding around the headband, too, is soft and has been well padded, incurring additional weight to the headset. Having been subjected to several hours of use, the materials used in the Stealth 700 Gen 2 seemed to be quite durable and showed no signs of deterioration.

Comfort and Fit

The second generation of Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 headsets emerges victorious where many others fail - in the aspect of comfort. I noticed from the very first time I wore them that the memory foam ear cushions, the sort that gently complements and molds, were effective in meeting my needs. There is a good seal around the ears while the headband does not clamp too hard on the sides of my head. There is also good weight distribution on the headset, such that it does not tilt either in front or at the back, and there is no excessive clamping.

Another very personal highlight worth mentioning is the ProSpecs Glasses Relief System. I am someone who wears spectacles, and so, this was revolutionary to me. The headset has an embedded space in the ear pads in which the frames of the glasses can fit in. It helps a lot, relieving the temple headache and the discomfort that otherwise comes with long use. These being long-range headsets, I was able to use them without any pain for hours, which is an important advantage for every gamer catching inside.

The fit of the band is adjustable, and the ear-cups can swivel to conform to the contours of your head gracefully. I found that they were quite sturdy in staying in place even with motion. There’s also some give in the ear cups themselves, which allow for some adjustment like Sennheiser Momentum 4. The cooling gel layer in the ear cushions goes a long way in avoiding heat buildup, which is why the Turtle Beach headphone can handle long gaming sessions effectively.

Sound Quality

When it comes to the sound domain, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 has very few competitors. The 50mm Nanoclear speakers provide a rather high quality sound with both depth and clarity that allows people to hear the minutest of details when listening to a MP3, movie, or when playing a game. I used reviews from action shooters to RPGs and back and forth and the immersion into the surround sound was equally impressive in all genres. The headset features Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos system for Xbox which makes a huge difference to the overall gaming experience.

The subwoofers produce sufficient bass, and the best part is that it does not overwhelm the user with excessive cushion. If there is an explosion in the game, for example, those intensities can make it work. As vocal frequencies, mids are clear and soft so the dialogues, character voices can be rendered back indoors without any obstacle. Some of the treble is bright, but not so bright that would be tiresome after prolonged use. Those headsets are nice for directional sound too and help locate approaching steps or distant gun fires that are very important for competitive games.

When listening to music, the sound profile is kept flat with a small tilt towards the bass like Jabra Elite 45h . I would say they were good for all the categories of music in the range going from electronic to rock, and surprisingly good for the non-gaming audio as well. In general, the Turtle beach stealth 700 performs well, with a good and versatile sound for various media types – games, movies, and music.

Gaming Performance

Gamer feedback has it that no headset beats the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 when it comes to sound performance and game relative performance improvement. The 50 mm Nanoclear drivers deliver pronounced audio, letting game players hear information that is important in fast paced games like first-person shooters and battle royale types. With active noise cancellation and Superhuman Hearing mode, this headset improves in-game events that involve low sound events such as the reloading of weapons and the footfalls of enemies, making it possible to detect movement before the player is seen.

Also, its wireless technology works very well so that problem of latency is non-existent because sound does not lag meaning everything is in sync. The Turtle Beach Audio Hub app goes further to enhance performance where custom EQ settings could be applied in order for players to tailor the sound for specific games improving awareness and immersion while playing.

Smart Features

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 does come with a lot of smart features that are intended to improve how people game with it. Probably, the most beneficial of them all is the Superhuman Hearing mode. This one amplifies the more discrete sounds like footfalls or weapon reloads, and this feature is helpful in games that require such precise perception. Multiplayer shooters were what I found particularly useful. When you spot the enemy movements beforehand you have better chances at winning.

Another feature I found practical was Bluetooth connectivity. You can pair the headset with your phone or other devices which are great if you receive a call or want to listen to music during the game. I was actually able to do just that and go between my game and a phone call without any hassle, which made everything more comfortable. For the first time, Turtle Beach has also introduced the ability to change audio presets to further enhance the audio experience with the help of their Audio Hub app.

You can use the headset with your phone hands-free by connecting it to voice control apps like Siri and Google assistant. Besides gaming purposes, these smart features come as an addition which expands the versatility of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 to other applications such as the best headphone call.

Connectivity and Usability

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 performs excellently in terms of connectivity. Depending on the type of hardware being used, one can have a direct wireless connection with the Xbox consoles or PlayStation without the need for additional equipment known as dongles. Bluetooth can be used for PC and mobile gaming, which works well and is easy to set up. Connect and turn it on, and Voila! The headset permanently remembers the pairing, and every time you turn it on with the help of the on/off switch, it automatically repairs.

The controls are rather basic, as even the left ear cup has physical buttons for power, mode, and volume, while the right contains the Bluetooth and device control buttons. Whenever there should be a need to connect additional players however, a Bluetooth control is at hand. The volume wheels are relatively simple to use, sitting within reach but in non-obtrusive positions. I found that overall, quite easy and intuitive to use, the placement of the controls and their response was adequate.

Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity is supported thus, you can pair two devices at the same time. Very helpful if you want to play a game on one device and listen to music on your phone without changing devices. Testing the Bluetooth connection proved that it is of such high quality there were almost no dropouts. I was also able to move quite a distance from the source due to the noticeable improvement in wireless interconnections of Stealth 700 Gen 2.

 Battery Life

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 has been reported to remain usable for 20 hours. However, during evaluation this was seen to be true since the battery life endured extremely well. The battery accessory lasted long enough for me to use the headset for quite a number of sessions before the battery was completely drained. The connector for the charging port is USB C, which is an improvement from the earlier versions of this camera. To complete the process, about 2-3 hours is required and there is no quick-charge feature, but again the excellent battery life makes up for it.

Battery live estimates in the system appeared to be quite accurate even with Bluetooth accessibility and Superhuman Hearing mode features on. The Turtle Beach headset was able to withstand prolonged gaming or all day use without being constantly plugged. Therefore, this is good for beginners as well as the diehard fans who place the headset on for longer periods at a stretch.

There are some models that offer long lasting backup, if you need long lasting backup headphone, you must check Sony WH-1000XM5 or Technics EAH-A800.

Mic Performance and Call Quality

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 also features a flip-to-mute microphone; this is simple, practical, and trouble-free to manage. With the mic down, the mic is active, and in the process of flipping the microphone switch up will mute the mic. This is very useful for quick muting of the system, for instance, during multiplayer games. The microphone performed well, though I'm generally skeptical of these things - I could hear everything, even my allies’ mouths. I tested it for game chats and some phone conversations, each time the responses were always positive.

The microphone’s built-in noise suppressing function somewhat reduces additional background noise. Although it won't get rid of all the sounds like a recording studio microphone would, it does help out a lot when playing games and making voice calls. This is decent quality for using a microphone when gaming, although it does seem to engage in the odd bit of intrusive noise - It’s possible to use it in a moderately noisy environment though in exposure to louder sounds, there are chances that the mic would capture such louder din as well. On the whole, it can be said that mic performance is up to gaming standard and it is even more of an icing on the cake having a flip-to-mute practices.

Durability and Portability

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 feels comfortable and underlines its durability with the quality of its construction. The headband is made of metal so that it remains intact and the plastic parts are of good thermal quality and fit properly. I used the headset for about a month and I have to say that it has not accumulated any wear and tear over that period. The ear cups can bend without being damaged and can be put in a bag without entailing any risks of getting damaged although the headset is too big to carry around.

In terms of portability, the headset doesn’t fold flat against the earcups, so prying them apart will require a bit more brute strength than buying this model until a new one becomes available. Turtle Beach does offer a pocket case, but it isn't the greatest in the world and won't really provide enough cushioning against serious collisions. For home or gaming use, Stealth 700 Gen 2 is excellent but is not really designed to be carried around and quite awesome heads up for alertness in cases of extreme portability.

Final Verdict

On the whole, Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 headsets provide the users with high-quality sound, appropriate fit for long hours of gaming, and many other helpful features. The body and the overall frame look very elegant and effective which of course does not eliminate the factor of a good shell material which protects it from wear and tear. The additional enhancements including Superhuman Hearing mode and Bluetooth Technology make it a worthy headset for all both in-game and outside the game. The power-efficient features like flip-to-mute mic and decent battery are just more helpful, that’s why Stealth 700 Gen 2 is a complete wireless headset suitable for a hardcore gamer seeking reliability and comfort at the same time.