The Stealth 700 Gen 3 Wireless Gaming Headset is the newest iteration of the Stealth line from Turtle Beach. With some impressive updates over the last generation, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 offers some pretty amazing features to help give it a leg up over the competition. With updates including improved battery life, CrossPlay Dual 2.4GHz transmitters and impressive 60mm Eclipse Dual drivers, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 might just be a contender for the favourite gaming headset of this generation. While there are a couple of iterations of the Stealth 700 Gen 3 to choose from, the sample sent over is the Designed for Xbox Edition in a beautiful Cobalt Blue.
As noted in my review of the Atlas Air Headset, Turtle Beach is continuing to push the bar forward on what we can expect from our gaming headsets. In the case of the Stealth 700, this latest generation has seen some marked improvements in design over previous iterations. The inclusion of a metal yoke and plastic headband helps create a sturdier headset. The swivel connection between the headband and earcups also sees a nice update, allowing the headset to rest comfortably around your neck when not in use.
Additionally, the update to the earcups with a premium leatherette allows for a more comfortable wearing experience. As a closed-back cup design, the 700s do get a bit warm to wear after a few hours, but never to the point of discomfort or sweating. Finally, the flex afforded the wearing thanks to the new connection points means that the Stealth 700 fits comfortably on a variety of heads, both large or small. While not the lightest headset tested this year, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 headset is quite comfortable even when wearing glasses.
“While not the lightest headset tested this year, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 headset is quite comfortable even when wearing glasses.”
Focusing on the earcups for a moment, Turtle Beach has opted to give gamers an impressive amount of control right from the hardware. Customizable wheels along with multifunction controls (dependent on mode) allow players to adjust overall volume, monitor levels and chat to game volume easily. Additionally, players can swap between modes or connect to a Bluetooth source easily using the onboard controls.
One design feature to carry over from Gen 2 is the flip-to-mute microphone. Much like the previous generation, when not in use the mic tucks nicely into the front side of the earcup blending almost seamlessly. It’s a great design and one of the more functional muting methods available. It’s nice to see it back for this latest iteration.
One of the stand-out features of the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is the CrossPlay wireless audio system. Thanks to the inclusion of two USB wireless transmitters, players can connect to and switch between Xbox and PC with a press of a button. As someone who regularly runs both systems, it is a nice way of reducing the amount of hardware needed to operate.
In testing, the system performed exceptionally well. Switching between sources worked seamlessly and without issue. Even the initial syncing process took no time at all on console or PC, with the latter offering additional support via the SWARM II software suite (also available on mobile). Another impressive aspect of the system is profile swapping, which happens automatically when switching sources. Programmed buttons and profile settings swap automatically, allowing you to easily control both devices without ever having to leave the game you’re playing.
To complement the CrossPlay audio system, Turtle Beach also includes Dual Source Bluetooth 5.2 support. In essence, this allows you to connect and use a Bluetooth device while simultaneously connected to one of the two 2.4GHz wireless transmitters. It works incredibly well with no noticeable delays or skips while swapping transmitters. I was able to run Spotify on my phone while also listening to game audio on my Xbox, all without any additional settings to adjust. It simply works.
“Finally, battery life on the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 has seen an impressive improvement. Bumped up to 80 hours from its previous 40, the Stealth 700 is built to go the distance.”
As for the audio quality itself, 60mm Eclipse Dual Drivers provide an excellent preset audio profile that is ideal for gamers. The low end offers a satisfying rumble, while the mids and highs are clear and distinct. The 60mm Eclipse Dual Drivers, first revealed on the Turtle Beach Recon 500 gaming headset, offer incredible audio detail in the mix, making them ideal for gaming settings where audio cues are critical.
In testing, the 700s provided a detailed and clear audio profile. Demon slaying in DOOM Eternal provided a satisfying listening experience while listening to music, likewise, was clear and clean. As a company that was at the forefront of gaming headsets in the early naughts, Turtle Beach has refined its audio drivers and provides an audio experience ideal for gamers.
The flip-to-mute microphone is likewise a solid addition to the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3. It also sees some improvement over the previous generation with a new A.I. noise reduction and echo cancellation software solution. Noise reduction works fairly well offering an overall reduction of background audio such as keyboard typing and fan noise. As for the audio capture, It gets the job done offering a solid capture. While it does lack a bit on the low end, it makes up for this with overall clarity, making it ideal for game chat.
To top it all off, Turtle Beach also includes the aforementioned SWARM II software suite. As noted in previous reviews, the SWARM II software offers a great amount of customization and control over the Stealth 700. Button mapping, EQ settings and profile creation are all handled here, along with some additional Xbox-specific features related to chat control. SWARM II works great and is available to use on both PC and Mobile.
Finally, battery life on the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 has seen an impressive improvement. Bumped up to 80 hours from its previous 40, the Stealth 700 is built to go the distance. This battery improvement is a welcome addition to the Stealth 700 Gen 3 and helps it stay ahead of other headphones in that $200 price range.
There is a lot to like about the Stealth 700 Gen 3 Wireless gaming headset. Turtle Beach has done a great job updating an already solid headset to help keep it one step ahead of the competition. From the 60mm Eclipse Dual Drivers to the CrossPlay wireless audio to the inclusion of a simultaneous Bluetooth connection, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 headset is an excellent offering and worth considering as your next audio upgrade.
