Turtle Beach Ear Force Stealth 700 for Xbox One review

Turtle Beach is a name known for being a leader in innovation, quality, and experience in the gaming world. I’ve been a fan of their products for a while now as well. My current headset that I use on Xbox is the XO Four Stealth wired headset from Turtle Beach, which I thoroughly enjoy. So when they asked us to review the new Stealth 700 wireless gaming headset for the Xbox One, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.

Features

You’re probably wondering why this particular headset is specifically for the Xbox One. I get it, as usually the “official branding” for any headset is a gimmick and it just comes in different colors depending on console. Not for the Stealth 700 though. This was actually designed to utilize Microsoft’s signature direct connect technology to have a true wireless capability with the system. So basically you connect the headset the same way you would a controller, which is truly simple.

As much as that feature is great and all, this headset is packed with so much more abilities that I don’t even know where to start. While connected to your Xbox, the Stealth 700 can be paired via Bluetooth to your mobile device. There’s a Turtle Beach app you can download for your device that allows access to a wealth of audio options that can toggle with the tap of a finger. This includes Mic Monitor, Chat Boost, Active Noise Cancellation, and different audio presets (Signature Sound, Bass Boost, Bass + Treble Boost, and Vocal Boost), and Superhuman Hearing (I’ll get to this later).

There’s also a battery monitor on the app (as well on the Xbox itself) that lets you know how much juice you have in the tank. Not to mention an audio cue that literally says “headset battery low” when it’s almost out. As with any wireless headset, battery life can definitely be a deal-breaker. Luckily, the Stealth 700 has about a 10-11 hour run time, as well as being able to use the headset as it charges via the charging cable. If the headset is completely dead, a full charge will take you about 2 hours max, which isn’t bad at all. Rounding out the features are separate chat and game volume controls, and flip-to-mute mic. This allows you to mute yourself by just flipping the mic up, as opposed to having to press a button or toggle.

Sound

Ok, so there’s all these bells and whistles, but it really comes down to how well they actually work. Given that the Stealth 700 boasts 50mm drivers, I’d say the audio is pretty dam good. Everything that comes through the headset, whether it be gaming audio, music, or whatever, is crisp and clear. And with the available audio presets, you can customize your sound to exactly how you like it.

Now remember that Superhuman Hearing I spoke about earlier? This is an audio option that’s meant to boost ambient and subtle noises that would alert you to an enemy’s presence sooner, which will give you a competitive advantage. I tried this across many different FPS games like Rainbow Six Siege (my main game), Fortnite, Halo 5, Battlefield 1, and CoD WW2, and found that there was a small, yet substantial difference.

I was catching opposing players off-guard more often than not, and my deaths were kept to a minimum (not saying I die all the time). Even with other types of games such as Forza Horizon 3, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Ghost Recon Wildlands, and Dead by Daylight, I became even more immersed than I normally would. Couple this with Windows Sonic, and you get virtual sound that surrounds you almost similarly like Dolby Atmos. And if you spent the $15 for the Atmos app, the headset is even that much better.

Design

As with any headset, not only do you want it to sound great but you want to be comfortable, especially for extended gaming sessions. Luckily, the Stealth 700 is all that and more. The top of the headband is rubberized, while the underside is a thick foam covered in a synthetic leather. Both earcups have a thick foam in them that utilize Turtle Beach’s ProSpecs design that are great for people who wear glasses. The area around where your glasses fit are actually a softer foam that allow for more comfort, which is great because I wear glasses. This is probably the most comfortable headset I’ve ever had, besides the XO Four Stealth.

The left earcup houses all of the controls and mic. There’s 3 rubberized buttons that toggle the power, Bluetooth, and Superhuman Hearing. The separate game and chat volume controls as well as direct connect button are along the back, and the bottom of the cup houses the Micro-USB charging port, 3.5mm jack and LED light.

Cons

Unfortunately, there are a few things that I’d have to ding the Stealth 700 for. As clear as I may sound through my mic, everyone in every party chat I’ve ever been in always says I sound far away or low volume. I’m not too sure if it’s the mic placement or what, but I haven’t been able to make it any better. Another problem is that every now and then, the app doesn’t connect to the headset, even if it’s in use on the phone it’s paired to.

Final Reaction

Nothing in this world can ever be perfect, but in the world of headsets, the Stealth 700 comes closer than anything else. Despite a few nuances, it’s probably the best headset, wired and wireless, that I’ve ever used. If you play competitively or casually, and are looking for a headset on Xbox One that can deliver the best audio quality without breaking the bank, then the Stealth 700 is the way to go hands down. With a current price of $129.95 (down from the original price of $149.95) on the official Turtle Beach website, this headset is well worth it.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Atoms

The post Turtle Beach Ear Force Stealth 700 for Xbox One review appeared first on Nerd Reactor.





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