We’ve reviewed a bunch of Turtle Beach headsets over the past couple of years, from the high-end Stealth Pro to the more modest, yet value-packed Stealth 500. There’s no doubt that Turtle Beach is providing a wide range of features and price points across their headsets, and the newer Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is no exception.
While that A$399 price tag creeps towards the pricier end of the market, it’s hard to argue with the results. From the incredibly solid audio to the Swarm II software and game-changing CrossPlay multiplatform system, there’s plenty to love about Turtle Beach’s newest offering.
Design
From a design perspective, the Stealth 700 is certainly on the bulkier side. It’s not a deal breaker, as the headset is packing in whopping 60mm Eclipse dual drivers, which we’ll touch on later. It does, however, weigh in at 408g. When compared to a similar premium or mid-range alternative like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, which clocks in at 324g, you might notice the difference, particularly after longer gaming sessions.
To be fair, the steel-reinforced design of the Stealth 700 is undeniably durable and comes with memory foam cushions that also play well with glasses, and are incredibly comfortable around the ears.
The only issue is that while the headband is padded and entirely sturdy, the lack of a ski band under the actual headband means you’ll feel the weight a little more on top of your head. Going from something like the Arctis Nova Pro, for example, does make a difference when even through the padding, you can feel the weight in a particular spot.
When it comes to controls, you’ll find a few options on either side to help you finetune your experience. On the left, you’ll find your standard USB-C charging port, along with two volume wheels, one to adjust your overall volume, and a second to adjust your game-to-chat audio balance.
Finally, you’ll find a dedicated mode button to cycle through sound modes. The microphone is also tucked away on this side and can be flipped down to speak, or straight up into its neatly assigned slot to mute your conversations.
On the right side, you’ll find a dedicated Bluetooth button for pairing to other devices and a Bluetooth device volume wheel that you can also change to pretty much anything you like via the Swarm II companion app.
Finally, you’ll find the CrossPlay switch button which allows you to switch between any platforms that the 2.4 GHz transmitters are plugged into, on the fly. It’s all easy enough to find and clearly labelled, and I can appreciate that third wheel to control a connected Bluetooth device as well.
Overall, the Stealth 700 while bulkier, makes up for its slightly heavier design with comfortable earcups and an impressive amount of onboard controls. While I wish a ski band was included for a lighter feel over the top of the head, I wouldn’t go as far as to say this is an uncomfortable headset in any way.
Performance & Functionality
As far as sound quality goes, the 60mm Eclipse dual drivers with spatial audio compatibility carry most of the weight and do provide a few things worth investing in. The larger drivers simply give you a fantastic soundstage, with spatial audio punching out the experience from various directions, which not only sounds full but crystal clear.
On top of that, the bass levels here are also fantastic, which makes a massive difference when you’re playing something like Call of Duty for example. I don’t have much to complain about here, and it’s justifying its higher price tag as far as audio quality is concerned.
I must admit, higher-end headsets like the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro and even the SteelSeries Artcis Nova Pro have made dual-interchangeable batteries an absolute joy. But as far as single, in-built batteries go, the Stealth 700 might just beat them all. You’ll get a whopping 80-hour battery life from a single charge here.
That’s going to change based on a few factors, like overall volume levels, microphone use, and other connected Bluetooth devices, but I haven’t managed to make a mark on this over the past few weeks, even with those features cranked up to their maximum.
To top it all off, the included AI noise-reduction microphone is also an absolute winner. Of course, you can only really test these things based on feedback, and I had no complaints. Even trying to make noise during gameplay sessions with friends went relatively unnoticed, and voice quality is generally clear and full, free from any distortion.
Finally, the remaining CrossPlay feature arguably makes this whole package worthwhile. Sure, most headsets are compatible with multiple platforms. But the Stealth 700 comes with two USB-A 2.4 GHz transmitters, which can be plugged into two devices of your choice. We checked out the Xbox version, and it’s worth noting here, that this version dedicates one of these dongles to an Xbox, while the other can be used on any platform you like.
This feature allows you to switch between any two devices where these dongles are plugged in, making it not only a headset you can use anywhere, but use anywhere instantly. It’s certainly a game-changer for me, as I’m generally reviewing games on multiple platforms.
If I’m testing this on the Series X for example, I need only turn the console off when I’m done, turn on the PS5, and tap the CrossPlay button on the headset, and I’m off and running. It’s a much easier option compared to pairing a headset to another device, or even having to move a wireless dongle or DAC constantly between two devices. The fact that you can also keep a Bluetooth device connected all at the same time makes this that much sweeter.
Software
The Turtle Beach Swarm II companion app returns once again, available on both desktop and mobile devices. While it’s still a little strange that certain Turtle Beach headsets use different companion apps, the Swarm II is certainly one of the better apps I’ve come across.
It’s incredibly easy to use and comes with a laundry list of customisable features, from remappable buttons and wheels to customisable EQ options and settings. The Superhuman Hearing Mode returns here as well, which lets users customise and fine-tune certain sound profiles to highlight layers of sound. Footsteps in Call of Duty, for example, tends to be the most popular test for me. As you would have guessed, it works well here too.
There’s not really much else to report about in regards to the Swarm II app, other than its easy-to-navigate design and an impressive list of customisable options.
Verdict & Value
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) headset verges on premium as far as price is concerned, but I feel most of the features tend to outpace its more expensive price, turning it into a fantastic deal. While features like noise-cancelling and dual interchangeable batteries have made experiences feel more premium, it’s hard to argue with everything the Stealth 700 is providing.
From the incredible audio quality and battery life to the customisable EQ options and controls, being able to fine-tune the experience without compromising quality makes all the difference. While I wish there were a few more inclusions in terms of design, they rarely detract from the fantastic headset this already is.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Excellent sound quality; Whopping 80-hour battery life; CrossPlay feature makes it so easy to use on various platforms
Lowlights: Comfortable around the ears but heavier than other headsets around the top of the head
Manufacturer: Turtle Beach
Price: A$399
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by Turtle Beach.
