There is no shortage of options when it comes to gaming headsets. Ever since gamers were using their dial-up modems to play Phantasy Star Online on the Sega Dreamcast, players have been searching for reliable headsets that provide quality audio without breaking the bank. Searching on retailers like Amazon will provide hundreds of low-cost options, but with unknown brand names and models, quality can be unpredictable. Spending all the money in your piggy bank on a premium headset may seem like a simple solution, but cracking open that adorable oinkster isn’t a guarantee that you’re getting a massive upgrade over some of the more sensibly priced options. Luckily, with the many options on the market, it is possible to find a quality gaming headset from a reputable company without paying top dollar.

A perfect example of this is the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset. Since 2005, Turtle Beach has earned a large share of the gaming headset market by offering highly reviewed products at a wide range of price points. The Stealth 600 might be the best value among all the options in their gaming headset line. There are an abundance of gaming headsets with a similar price point, but the Stealth 600 Gen 2's focus on comfortable design and high audio quality make it stand out from the pack. The remainder of this article will focus on all the pros and cons of this headset and why it's an exceptional choice for budget gamers in the market for a wireless gaming headset.

It’s extraordinary that Turtle Beach was able to pack so much punch in this device while staying in a lower price range.

When players look at the wireless gaming headset options currently available in 2022, it’s really hard to beat the Stealth 600 Gen 2 when it comes to value and quality. Everything about its design was perfected with gamers in mind, from the flip-to-mute microphone to the glasses-friendly dual-foam ear cushions. It’s extraordinary that Turtle Beach was able to pack so much punch in this device while staying in a lower price range.

In the nine months before writing this review, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 was used as the main gaming headset in a home gaming setting.

The headset itself was tested in the following games:

• Halo Infinite

• Halo: The Master Chief Collection

• Fortnite

• MultiVersus

• Fall Guys

Contents Of Package

• Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB Wireless Amplified Gaming Headset
• Wireless USB Transmitter
• USB-C Charging Cable
• Quick Start Guide
• Turtle Beach Sticker

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Presentation & Design

While some might consider it simple, the design of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 is sleek and minimalist. There’s definitely a focus here on efficiency and comfort as opposed to an extravagant look. One of the features that leads to its high comfort level is the uniquely shaped ear cups. They’re not circular or a perfect oval, yet they fit perfectly around the listener’s ears. All the necessary buttons and the pull-down microphone are located on the left ear side, making it easy to change volumes or switch between modes. They’re available in three different color schemes. The first is a black and neon green version that is a nod to the original Xbox. The second is a white and gray look that is futuristic yet retro, like something inspired by the original Tron film. The third is the Playstation version which subs out the neon green for a sleek looking blue.

Stealth 600 Gen 2 Layout

The minimalist design of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 leads to superior functionality. Everything you need is right within reach on the outside of the left ear cup. The connect button discreetly positioned at the bottom of the ear cup makes it easy to connect the headphones to your Xbox, Playstation, or PC. The power button rests under the volume knobs, making it convenient to power on or off. If one forgets to power off, the headset will power itself down after a set amount of inactivity.

After one or two sessions of wear, the user will have the muscle memory to make in-game adjustments to the audio or chat volume knobs. Located on the backside of the ear cup, these knobs can make seamless adjustments on the fly. The final button, one in between the power and volume knobs, is a mode button that allows you to quickly switch between a variety of preset options.

Users of this headset will immediately discover how great the design of the microphone is. Also located on the left ear cup, the microphone folds directly to the left side of the cup, essentially vanishing from sight if not in use. When needing to communicate with teammates, the wearer simply flicks it down into position. The microphone then is close enough to receive all of your voice commands but not too close where it would be uncomfortable in any way. There’s no hard-to-find mute button on this accessory, as one can fold the microphone back up into the ear cup to rapidly mute the device.

Comfort

While not the lightest headset at this price point, the Stealth 600 is still not heavy enough to cause any sort of inconvenience to the wearer. At 2/3s of a single pound, gamers could walk around with these all day and not feel any lingering effects due to the weight. They also don’t feel too light in a cheap way, proving that Turtle Beach used quality materials when constructing them. Despite the low weight, they will feel sturdy and strong in your hands and on your head. They can certainly survive a fall or two without being any worse for the wear.

Turtle Beach did its patrons a great service by building these headphones with soft, breathable materials that really makes them a joy to wear. Long sessions at the start of a new season of Fortnite or Halo Infinite will be no issues as gamers should be able to wear the Stealth 600s for an extended period of time without any discomfort. Comfort-wise, these are far superior to lower-priced sets that were also tested. The larger ear cups not only add to the user’s comfort but also create a larger depth perception. The strengthened, adjustable headband makes changing sizes quick and easy while its underneath padding makes it feel like you’re wearing a small pillow on your head.

The Stealth 600 Gen 2s are certainly ahead of the pack when it comes to comfort and one would be hard-pressed to find a competing headset at a similar or cheaper price point that is more comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions.

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Sound Quality

When it comes to what’s inside the Stealth 600s, they’re definitely designed with gamers in mind. The 50mm with Neodymium magnets speakers and a frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz exceed the specs on the typical gaming headset. They are surround sound capable, having been optimized to work with Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, and DTS headphones. Surround sound capability is huge in games where enemies can strike from any direction. On top of that, the headphone features Turtle Beach’s exclusive ‘Superhuman Hearing’ setting which increases the awareness of what direction a sound is coming from. According to a Turtle Beach study in 2021, this superhuman setting can increase a player’s kill-to-death ratio up to 44% and increase their average life span up to 20%. Any gamer would love those bumps in efficiency.

Of course, if one has the disposable income and wants the gaming headset with the best possible sound quality then there are higher-tiered products that are available. That’s not to say that the Stealth 600s have subpar sound quality. With a design focused on gaming, Turtle Beach really packed everything they could into the Stealth 600s to make them more than sufficient for the average gamer. Between the speaker size and frequency response range the quality of these gaming headsets is nothing to scoff at, especially when considering the price tag.

Microphone Clarity

While great sound and comfort are big factors when selecting some new headwear, one shouldn’t ignore the microphone. Not all microphones are created equal. When communication is so key in online multiplayer games, a crystal clear message can make or break a victory. For gamers that exclusively play single-player games the microphone isn’t as important, but if any multiplayer rounds are going to be played then ensuring your headset has a quality mic is very important.

Of several similarly priced headsets sampled for this review, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600’s microphone really stood out in terms of quality and functionality. It's larger, highly sensitive microphone boosts 99.95% voice clarity. The headset includes a feature called mic monitoring, which allows the user to hear their own communications so that they know how they’re sounding to their teammates. In almost every party chat participated in for this review, the Stealth’s messages were clearer than those sent by party members using more costly headsets. The best part of the microphone is its functionality. When it’s not needed, or it’s necessary to be off mic for a moment, all one has to do is slide it up into the ear cup, and it's virtually invisible.

Conclusion - ⅘

When browsing for a gaming headset at your local retailer the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 might not jump out as an obvious must-buy. When shopping based on the boxes alone the many options might all blend together as very similar products. But after using these gaming headsets for a long period of time one would be hard-pressed to find a better value. If shopping under a specific budget, the Stealth 600s are unequivocally one of the best options. The smooth, yet durable design boosted with the dual-foam ear cushions are tough to beat. All in all, when compared to similarly priced gaming headsets from other companies, the Stealth 600 Gen 2s are certainly one of the best.

No product is absolutely perfect. Even the most highly-priced gaming headset will have their flaws. The Stealth 600s are no exception. Their lightweight headband, if pulled hard enough or yanked in two directions at once could snap. One could imagine the same thing happening to the fold-down microphone. Perhaps some gamers wouldn’t want to rock such a simply designed headphone and would prefer a more flashy set. Without an optional wire connection to fall back on, any internal damage to its wireless connection ability would render the headsets useless.

Overall, when looking for a quality wireless gaming headset that is uber comfortable, has surround sound, and features an above-average microphone at a reasonable price should absolutely consider the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 wireless gaming headset. When compared side by side to similarly priced sets, the sound quality, design, and functionality really make it stand out from the pack.

Similar Products

Purchasing the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 wireless gaming headsets are without a doubt one of the better choices a consumer can make when purchasing headphones around its price point, but there are certainly a lot of other great options out there.

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FAQ

Q: How do we test gaming headsets?

The chosen headset is used as the reviewer's main listening and communication device for an extended period of time prior to the creation of the review. It is tested in an office, casual, and gaming setting.

Q: Do I need a gaming headset?

Those looking for voice communication between friends and other gamers will definitely want a gaming headset with an appropriate microphone. Players that find themselves sticking primarily to single-player titles may want to consider using higher-quality headphones, as communication isn't necessary for these types of releases. That said, many gaming headsets currently on the market feature technology and mixing that helps to accentuate the specific sounds associated with video games.