Continuing the trend in excellence
Turtle Beach has been one of the major headset brands for what seems like forever. I have reviewed multiple models over the years with each one being very solid with plenty of options and incremental upgrades. This is both a blessing and a curse. While the sets have always been solid there is rarely a major upgrade between units to set them apart. Even the naming convention remains so close I have to check dates to make sure I am looking at the right ones. With the most recent 600 and 700 models we once again get a solid one two punch of units with a few new features. As per usual both headsets are both solid and feature some great sound.
Most of this review will focus on the 700 model, but I will also touch on the differences between it and the 600 including price. Right out of the box I had to do a double take. The 700 Gen 2 Max is nearly identical to the 2020 model I reviewed. The design is standard Turtle Beach with the logo on the earcups with a flip mic. The earcups include the cooling gel which is a huge bonus. Headsets can make my ears extremely warm over extended use. The band and cups are of great quality, but after testing the Lucid and Arctis headsets, the Turtle Beach ones are a bit too snug for my liking.
MSRP: 700 Gen 2 Max $199.99 | 600 Gen 2 Max $129.99
Price I’d Pay: $199.99/129.99
Both of these units are technically designed for Xbox, but the biggest change to these models is they essentially work on any console. Both come with a USB dongle that can be plugged into any USB port. The dongle has a switch that has Xbox and USB as options. Switching to USB allows the headsets to work on Switch, PlayStation, and even PC. The connection is solid but I did run into some issues with interference during sessions. I would have the headset disconnect, not sure if it was due to the dongle or the Bluetooth interference. I normally shut that off on these headsets as it constantly reminds me when it connects and disconnects, which can become annoying.
The design remains mostly unchanged with some subtle quality of life updates. The buttons have been refined with more pronounced variations to quickly decipher which one you are pressing when wearing the headset. Mobile functionality returns with the ability to perform all tasks via the app. When this series first launched the app was very buggy, but updates over time have made it much more reliable and easier to connect.
Let’s get to what really matters with a headset though, the sound. Turtle Beach has always been one of the most impressive brands I have used. They have a nice mix of thumping bass and cinematic surround so I can clearly hear footsteps around me in online shooters, while still making those explosions impactful. The 700 Gen 2 model is no exception with four preset modes as well as a host of customization through the app. I tested it on everything from cinematic experiences to online shooters to get the full range and it delivered. I was able to enable Atmos on Xbox to get full 360 degree sound and it even sounded great on Switch with games like Mario Kart. This is one delightful audio experience right out of the box.
For me one of the biggest setbacks of any good headset is comfortability. It is paramount when wearing it for long sessions. Turtle Beach has always been a solid design and this new 700 Gen 2 continues that tradition. I love having cooling foam on the ear cups as well as a flexible band around the top. The weight of the headset is just a touch too heavy for longer sessions as it started to wear me down after a while, but it works.
I have always been a fan of the flip mic option on the Turtle Beach sets. I like being able to quickly have access to the mic and being able to store it when I don’t want to use chat. The fact that it mutes it is also a nice touch that is far easier than clicking a button mid-game. These sets also include sidetone options, which is a must for me. If I cannot hear my voice during a game I tend to shout. The mic quality is also not bad at all. It is on par with most headsets in this price range.
When compared to other headsets the Turtle Beach line holds up extremely well. I have tested several across the board and these are in line and exceed in some areas. I have always been a fan of Turtle Beach and think these new Gen 2 sets are definitely worth their price of admission. If the Bluetooth was cleaned up and the connection issues fixed these could be my preferred headset. Still there are few better headsets in their price range that can compete with the audio quality of the Stealth series.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
