The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 headset represents a significant step forward for the series, combining cutting-edge features, a sharp design, and excellent sound performance to meet the demands of gamers and audiophiles. I’ve been reviewing Turtle Beach hardware for a long time, and the Stealth 700s combine all the best aspects I’ve enjoyed over the years to create the best model yet.
The Gen 3 incorporates improved audio fidelity, impressive battery life, and a greater level of comfort for those marathon gaming sessions. Whether you’re looking for immersive audio for your gaming sessions or a reliable headset for your daily audio needs, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 has plenty to offer. Let’s dive into the full review and explore the details of its design, performance, and versatility.
Unboxing and setting up the Stealth 700
Unboxing the Stealth 700 Gen 3 and getting up and running is a straightforward experience. Inside the box, you’ll find the headset, a USB-C charging cable, two USB-A dongles for connectivity and a quick start guide. Setting up the headset is simple: you’ll need to update the firmware via the Turtle Beach Audio Hub. The one minor inconvenience is updates require connecting both dongles, which might be hard if you are short on USB ports. You’ll be ready to go once you plug in the USB dongles to your preferred device(s), power on the headset, and run firmware updates. After that, I experienced nothing but smooth sailing, especially when it came to device compatibility.
The Stealth 700 doubles down on compatibility
Turtle Beach’s decision to include two “CrossPlay” USB dongles is a thoughtful touch, especially for multiplatform gamers like me. They allow for seamless switching between different devices with a press button on the headset. The “double dongle” design also opens up a wider variety of compatibility, letting you use the headset with just about any device that has a USB-A input and is capable of audio output. Officially, the Stealth 700 works with the Xbox, PlayStation, PC and Bluetooth-equipped mobile devices.
Overall headset design
Overall, I really like the look and design of the Stealth 700 Gen 3 headset. It is slightly bulky, but it has some great details in the design that make it stand out. I like the colourways; the 700s are available in black, white and cobalt blue, the unique look of the copper and cobalt won me over; it was classy yet different.
The Gen 3 model has a “flatter” earcup design over the Gen 2, which I much prefer and looks more modern. Regarding portability, the headset doesn’t fold down, but the ear cups swivel flat, which is a nice feature for storage on the go. One of the most impressive aspects of the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is its battery life. With up to 80 hours of battery life on a single charge, you can game for days without recharging. The quick charge feature allows you to get 3 hours of playtime from just a 15-minute charge. So, if you run out of battery, it doesn’t take long to charge and get you back in the game.
Stealth 700 build quality
The build quality of the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is excellent. A steel-enforced piece runs through the headband, providing durability and premium feel. The design still has plastic elements, but it feels hardy, and the biggest “stress points” are reinforced and flexible. The headset features a mixture of pleather and fabric on the parts that touch your head and ears, with memory foam padding for added comfort. I run pretty hot as I play, especially with large earcups on my head. The Stealth 700s fabrics and design helped keep me cool and wicked away moisture during long gaming sessions; I was comfortable even during extended use.
Ear cups and drivers
The Stealth 700 Gen 3 is equipped with 60mm “Eclipse Dual Drivers,” which separate the tweeter and subwoofer. This design allows for deeper lows and more detailed highs, resulting in a rich and immersive audio experience. The ear cups and headbands are designed with comfort and function in mind. They feature memory foam padding that conforms to your head and ears for a snug fit. The headband also creates enough of a seal in combination with the earcups to block out most external sounds, while still remaining comfortable.
Onboard controls
The Stealth 700 Gen 3 features an onboard control hub that allows you to adjust various settings on the earcups without needing to access your device. I did find the number of knobs , buttons and combination of them a little overwhelming, but they do offer more options for connectivity and allow for adjustments on the fly. You can control the volume, mute the microphone by flipping up the arm, adjust EQ, mix levels between game/chat, switch between different audio presets and more. One notable button is the “CrossPlay” button which lets you switch effortlessly between transmitters, making wireless audio with multiplatform gaming a snap. The onboard Bluetooth 5.2 enables simultaneous connections to devices, allowing you to mix audio—for example, listening to music or a call while gaming.
Stealth 700 gaming audio performance
When it comes to gaming audio performance, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 truly shines. The 60mm “Eclipse Dual Drivers” deliver powerful and immersive sound, with clear highs and deep, resonant lows. The separation of the tweeter and subwoofer let me hear every detail, from the subtle footsteps of an approaching enemy to the booming explosions of a battlefield in action games like Call of Duty. The headset also features AI-powered noise-cancelling technology within the microphone, which helps to block out background noise so people on the other end of the mic can hear you.
“Superhuman” hearing with the Stealth 700
With my music, I really appreciated the headset’s different audio presets, which added more vibrancy to tracks without overwhelming other frequencies. The modes are Signature Sound, Bass Boost, Bass & Treble Boost and Vocal Boost. The headset also features Turtle Beach’s “Superhuman Hearing” mode, which amplifies specific in-game sounds like footsteps and gunshots. In multiplayer games like Call of Duty, it helped to add an advantage with more detailed sound. I could hear enemies further away and pinpoint the direction they were moving with a lot more accuracy.
Final thoughts on the Stealth 700 Gen 3 headset
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 is a fantastic headset with a great balance of performance, comfort, and versatility. Its impressive battery life, high-quality audio, and robust build quality make it a standout choice. While it may be slightly bulky and lacks foldability for portability, the swivel-flat ear cups and overall design make it a comfortable and stylish option. If you’re in the market for a new gaming headset, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is one I can easily recommend.
Be sure to check out Best Buy Canada’s full line of gaming headsets, both in-store and online.
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