The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is a wireless gamer headset capable of connecting to all current platforms, from PC, PS4 and PS5 to the latest Xbox consoles. This makes it one of the most versatile models for gamers who switch from one medium to another. Expect to pay around $129.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| PC and console compatible | Average comfort |
| Multi-platform compatibility | No wired audio option |
| Efficient 2.4 Ghz connection | |
| Effortless Xbox setup | |
| Excellent battery life |
Turtle Beach introduced the new MAX version of its wireless gaming headset, following a Gen 2 that brought some improvements to the Stealth 600.
Specifications
• Speakers: 50mm with Neodymium magnets
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Ear-cup Design: Over-Ear (Closed)
• Ear-cushion Material: Fabric with Foam Cushioning
• Mic Design: Flip-up Omni-Directional
• Battery: Rechargeable Lithium Polymer
The main new features of this MAX model are multi-platform compatibility, which allows it to connect wirelessly to PCs as well as Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch consoles. What Position itself as a particularly interesting model for players alternating between different platforms is rare, because wireless headsets capable of adapting to multiple consoles are rare.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is available for $139.99 from the manufacturer. At this price, it competes with its cousin, the Stealth 700 Gen 2, the HyperX Cloud II Wireless, and the Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless.
Turtle Beach keeps things simple on the inside, and the headset comes with only a short USB-C to USB-A charging cable and some paperwork. The headset color is “Arctic Camo.”
Ergonomics and Design
Because we did not have the opportunity to show you the Gen 2 model, a quick tour of the house is in order. If you’re familiar with the headset, the main difference in terms of design is the colour options, with models available in black, red, or camouflage tones like our version of the day.
The design of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 and Gen 2 MAX models has been vastly improved over the first generation. Once in hand, the headset appears more solid and instils a greater sense of confidence.
The headset’s design is primarily made of plastic, and the finishes are quite appropriate for a headset priced under $150. The model holds up well to various tortures, and the assembly does not crack in all directions when manipulated in any way. On the scale, it weighs around 290g, which is relatively light for a wireless headset, even though the more recent Logitech G435 and Astro A10 Gen 2 perform better in this regard.
More specifically, we begin with the headband, which has a simple but very flexible design. The Turtle Beach logo is embossed on the upper part, and memory foam is used for internal padding. The look is completed by faux leather upholstery.
The headset adjustment has been reworked in comparison to the first version, but we still use sliding rods that allow it to be adjusted in a dozen well-marked notches. The headset is made to fit most body types, regardless of whether you have a small or large head.
The ear cups can be rotated 90 degrees to allow for easier adjustment against the skull while also providing a more comfortable fit around the neck.
A second pivot zone in the centre of each headset provides a few degrees of adjustment to tilt them more or less.
Memory foam is used for the pads, which are not particularly impressive. The padding is not particularly generous, and the external covering of breathable fabric is not particularly comfortable to wear. The space for the ears appears to be slightly narrower than on the first generation Stealth 600, but their format allows them to be better accommodated.
It should also be noted that certain areas of the padding are less dense to allow for the use of glasses, which is an important consideration for many players.
The pads can then be removed and replaced. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is relatively comfortable once on the head, but it falls short of the best models in the sector.
The tension of the headband helps keep it in place, but it can also cause fatigue during extended gaming sessions. As previously stated, the coatings and padding of the ear cups are also subpar.
On the control side, all of the headset’s actions are now grouped together on the left atrium.
A first knob controls the sound volume, while a second controls the monitoring level, allowing him to achieve a more or less high return of his voice into the microphone.
When connected to Xbox, the first wheel controls game volume and the second controls voice chat.
There are then two buttons, the first of which is “MODE,” which allows you to switch between the equalisers. You can select from the following equalisers: Signature Sound, Bass Boost, Bass + Treble Boost, and finally Vocal Boost.
A second “POWER” button controls the headphones‘ on/off switching via prolonged pressure.
The “Superhuman Hearing” feature, which is available on most Turtle Beach headsets, is activated or deactivated with a single press. Lower down, a USB-C connector allows the headphones to be charged via a 65-cm USB-C to USB-A cable.
Finally, let’s take a look at the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX’s microphone. There are no significant differences between this version and the previous one, which had a boom directly attached to the left atrium. Its rigid design prevents us from adjusting its position. It is rather short and can be raised along with the headset to automatically mute the voice capture. We’ll return to its performance near the end of the article.
Wireless on all platforms
As stated in the introduction, the main difference between this Gen 2 MAX version and the standard Gen 2 is its ability to connect wirelessly to all current platforms.
Before proceeding, keep in mind that the headset is only wireless and lacks a 3.5 mm port for connecting it to a controller or smartphone, for example. The USB-C port is also incompatible with wired listening.
The Stealth 600 uses a 2.4 GHz connection to connect wirelessly, allowing you to play without latency. To make the connection, simply plug the USB-A dongle into the platform of your choice and turn on the headset. Pairing occurs automatically.
So far, nothing out of the ordinary, except that upon closer inspection, the dongle has a switch on its edge that allows it to switch between “Xbox” and “USB” modes.
The first mode will be used to connect the headset to Microsoft consoles, while the second mode will be used to connect the headset to PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch consoles (in docked mode), as well as PCs.
For the first time, we’ve seen such a system on a wireless headset, and up until now, it was often necessary to invest in two separate headsets if you wanted to take advantage of a 2.4 connection. Ghz on both a Sony and a Microsoft console. Another option is to use a Bluetooth headset, but the latency generated by this wireless connection is not ideal for gaming.
Battery life
In terms of battery life, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX improves on previous versions in some ways. The headset has a battery life of up to 48 hours, and a quick charge of about fifteen minutes gives you about 8 hours of battery life.
In use, the figures announced by Turtle Beach appear consistent, and our only regret is the lack of genuine indications of remaining battery life.Â
Additional Features
The headset does not include any software or apps for accessing additional features. The Turtle Beach tool is the only way to update headset and dongle firmware.
On this score, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX performs better because it includes a mobile application accessible via Bluetooth. In this model, the connection is missing.
Sound performance
The headset, like the classic Gen 2, has 50 mm speakers that provide stereo sound reproduction. There is no virtual 7.1 mode, but you can obviously use the one provided by the latest generation of consoles.
If you stick to its fundamental equalizer in use, the headset performs admirably, with generally well-controlled rendering. The bass does seem to take over slightly, but depending on the styles of play and individual preferences, it can also contribute to good immersion.
The various modes available allow you to select renderings that emphasize low frequencies, low and high frequencies, or, on the contrary, vocal parts. because they distort reproduction. In use, we do not necessarily recommend these different modes because they distort the sound reproduction too much, in our opinion. Again, everyone has different audio preferences, so it should be viewed in accordance with your own.
Finally, regardless of the equaliser, the well-known “Superhuman Hearing” mode can be activated. The latter is primarily aimed at competitive FPS players, drastically reducing lows and mids while emphasising highs. As a result, the sound is completely distorted, but details like footsteps or weapon sounds stand out much more easily from the soundstage.
Microphone
On the microphone front, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX delivers adequate results but nothing more. Other wireless models, such as the Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless, provide much better capture.
While the capture itself is fairly clear, the overall system lacks the ability to always remain perfectly audible in the middle of a game.
Noise reduction is also lacking, and the microphone picks up keystrokes from a mechanical keyboard.
Conclusion
Turtle Beach improves on one of its best wireless gaming headsets with the MAX version of its Stealth 600 Gen 2 and presents an ideal candidate for gamers looking to take advantage of wireless, whether on PC or consoles.
Being able to play on PS5, Xbox Series S/X, or PC with the same headset is a huge benefit that can save you from having to go through the checkout process twice. This excellent versatility unfortunately raises the price of the headset to $139, compared to $99 for the classic Gen 2 version. There is a price difference that we would have liked to fill with other new features such as improved comfort or even a higher-quality microphone.
If you don’t need a wireless headset that works on all platforms, it’s better to invest 10 euros more in its bigger brother, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2, which offers better comfort and more features. PC/PS5 Then you’ll have to decide between PC/PS5 and PC/Xbox. A MAX version was recently released, but the price jumped to $199, forcing us to move on to another price range.
