If you want in on the Turtle Beach wireless headset game but aren't ready to splurge on lots of features, check out the Stealth 600.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is in many ways a cheaper version of the Stealth 700 headset. It ditches some of the extra tech (the Stealth 700 offers Bluetooth and active noise cancellation which the Stealth 600 does not), but in doing so brings the price down to an even more affordable point: $99.95.
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 specs
| Category | Spec |
|---|---|
| Audio Connection | Direct Wireless Connection |
| Speaker frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Headset Power | Battery |
| Battery | Up to 15 Hours |
| Speaker size | 50mm with Neodymium Magnets |
| Microphone | Flip-up omni-directional |
| Headband/earpad material | Mesh fabric with foam cushion |
| Ear cushion | Mesh fabric with foam cushion |
| In the box | Headset and USB cable |
| Price | $99.95 |
Design, durability, and comfort
The design of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is fairly similar to the Stealth 700, utilizing similar plastics and materials. It comes complete with the new angled hinge, which lines up nicely with the new flip microphone when it's in its upright "mute" position, giving it a unique look in the process.
It uses a combo of matte and glossy plastics that give it a nice two-tone style, although it's forever annoying how much glossy surfaces show dust and smudges. You have to suffer for fashion, I suppose.
The Stealth 600's headband offers a lot of room for adjustment, with rotatable joints that can be extended up and down to fit the size of your head. Combined with a pliable top band and the hinges on the cup themselves, you should find that the headset rests comfortably on almost anyone, even youngsters.
As a wireless headset, this comes with audio controls on the left ear cup, with individual sliders for chat and game audio, as well as buttons for power and different audio presets, all of which work as intended. Unlike the Stealth 700, Turtle Beach used matte plastic for the buttons on the 600, rather than the rubbery material on the 700. As a result, they feel much easier to click in, and don't get anywhere near as grimy.
While this is a cheaper headset, I find the materials to be of a decent quality. There's no indication that the headband will snap under pressure when putting it under stress; I was able to bend it quite far without it breaking.
The headset uses mesh fabric coating for its ear cups and headband, which I personally find to be far more pleasant on the skin. Naturally, it's a little harder to clean than synthetic leather-based options, but whether you like it or not will be down to personal preference. In any case, they feel really nice, and there's a generous amount of foam cushioning across the headband and earphones to ensure a satisfactory level of comfort, without getting warm on the skin.
Despite being cheaper, I actually prefer the materials and design in the Stealth 600 vs. its more expensive variant. The buttons feel nicer, the foam is actually a little thicker across the top, and the fabric is a little more comforting on the skin. For $99, this is a great effort.
Features and audio
When it comes to features, the Stealth 600 is fairly basic, save for one big caveat. It's among the first truly wireless headsets for Xbox, connecting directly to the box. There's no need for dongles or cables, and set up is as simple as it would be pairing one of your wireless controllers. This is without a doubt one of the most convenient headsets available for Xbox One today, complete with a listed 15 hours battery life, it beats out its more expensive Stealth 700 cousin by 5 hours. In reality you'll get less than 15 hours more than likely, but expect all-day wireless gaming with this headset.
It comes with bass boost audio presets which add a punch to music and media, but you won't get Turtle Beach's trademark Superhuman Hearing preset with this headset, so no accentuated footsteps in competitive shooters.
This headset is surprisingly satisfying on all fronts for use on Xbox.
It doesn't come with DTS 7.1 virtual surround sound, instead urging users to select Windows Sonic in the Xbox audio settings. Windows Sonic does a surprisingly competent job of informing enemy positions and making games feel more immersive with its surround sound algorithm, or you can even pick up a Dolby Atmos license if you prefer. Both solutions help this headset punch above its price point, but I feel like Dolby Atmos edges out Microsoft's own solution, particularly on lower-end headsets.
Speaking of the low-end, even with Dolby Atmos or Windows Sonic enabled, the general audio experience isn't as rich and impressive as it might be with a more expensive headset, such as Turtle Beach's own Elite Pro Tournament solution, but it's grand when you consider this product is only $99. They're also not very loud on the maximum setting, which might deter you if you want something you can also use for loud music.
As far as the chat experience goes, the Stealth 600 performs well. You can adjust game sound and chat sound independently, and unlike the Stealth 700 I tested, the mic recording feedback is loud and clear, useful for times you want to game while keeping your voice down.
It should be noted that this headset is 100% Xbox-focused. There isn't even a 3.5mm jack for use on a phone or on a PC, which seems odd considering how much usability a simple jack like that could add. Not many laptops are compatible with Xbox Wireless as of yet, but you can pick up a USB dongle if you want to extend the usability of this headset to your laptop or PC.
All things considered, this headset is surprisingly satisfying on all fronts for use on Xbox, with decent audio quality elevated by Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos, clear mic monitoring and chat quality, and solid wireless connectivity.
Conclusion
For $99, it's hard to go wrong here. The headset is well constructed, stylish, and comfortable, with plenty of adjustability to suit your needs. The materials used don't feel as premium as they might in a more expensive headset, but the Stealth 600 certainly feels like solid value at $99.
On the audio side, the Stealth 600 offers a solid, if basic sound experience, which can be extended using Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound algorithms. The chat quality is great all-round, with clear mic monitoring and recording for communication with your Xbox party.
Pros:
- Great price point at $99.95.
- Decent sound quality, elevated by Windows Sonic.
- Loud mic monitoring and clear chat experience.
Cons:
- Omission of 3.5mm jack seems odd.
Great
4/5
It's a shame that the headset missed the opportunity to include a 3.5mm headset jack for use on PCs without Xbox Wireless or mobile phones, but the connectivity and convenience offered by its direct connectivity is hard to compete with. Xbox Wireless might be new on the scene, but this early Turtle Beach offering is hard to fault at $99, and bodes well for future products.