I’ve been a fan of gaming since I acquired my first NES as a toddler. Through the years, I’ve owned a number of completely different consoles and I’ve at all times regarded for methods to reinforce one among my favourite hobbies. Lately, that may imply upgrading to a greater TV, utilizing a projector, or including a gaming headset to the combo.
Fortuitously, our pals at Turtle Seashore have been type sufficient to ship out the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max for PS4 and PS5 for evaluate. I’ve been utilizing it for the previous month and listed below are my ideas.
Options
The Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is one among Turtle Seashore’s flagship gaming headsets, and as such, comes filled with options. For starters, it makes use of a USB dongle to offer a 2.4GHz wi-fi connection between your system and the headset. On this case, the units supported are the PS4, PS4 Professional, PS4 Slim, PS5, Nintendo Change, PC, and Mac. Just about all the things however an Xbox, however don’t fear, Turtle Seashore additionally makes a mannequin with Xbox compatibility as properly.
Some extra options current on the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max are a protracted 40+ hour battery life, 50mm Nanoclear audio system, a flip to mute mic, bodily controls on the ear cups, sidetone monitoring, connecting concurrently with Bluetooth and the two.4GHz dongle, and a Superhuman Listening to setting.
The Superhuman Listening to choice might be discovered within the useful Turtle Seashore Audio Android app. I like when gaming headsets have an Android companion app as a result of it makes managing them a lot simpler. Particularly, in the event that they assist a simultaneous connection just like the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max, as a result of on this case, I often have the headset related to my telephone to take calls whereas gaming in any case.
That’s why it solely is smart to have an Android app that permits for tweaking the completely different settings, just like the equalizer, button capabilities, Superhuman Listening to setting, and extra. Nonetheless, I’ve to say the Turtle Seashore app isn’t probably the most intuitive to make use of and I want it offered extra in depth EQ settings.
Consolation
The Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max makes use of a metal-reinforced headband and dual-foam Aerofit cooling gel-infused ear cushions that boast a glasses-friendly design. The cushions are dense and comfortable, however in addition to the metallic headband, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is primarily constructed out of plastic.
The consolation stage of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max got here up missing for my part. They really feel cumbersome and fairly heavy, sufficient to the place I started feeling the strain of the headscarf on the highest of my head after solely gaming for an hour. Moreover, the tight clamping pressure places quite a lot of strain on the aspect of your head whereas additionally inflicting my ears to get heat after prolonged use, regardless of making use of Aerofit cooling gel within the cushions.
Total, I used to be not impressed by the consolation and match of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max, even with the beneficiant padding, it wasn’t sufficient to beat the load and clamping pressure. They’re definitely not probably the most uncomfortable headphones I’ve worn, however they aren’t nice for lengthy gaming periods. Nonetheless, for those who solely play for a few hours at a time then they need to be nice.
Audio high quality
Due to the two.4GHz wi-fi connection offered by the USB dongle, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max has lag-free high-quality audio whereas gaming. This explicit mannequin is even tuned particularly for the PlayStation 5’s 3D audio.
Whereas the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max might lack within the consolation division, it greater than makes up for it with unbelievable audio high quality. I used to be critically impressed by how far more epic the soundtrack for video games like The Witcher 3 and Horizon Zero Daybreak sounded because of the open soundstage and enormous 50mm drivers within the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max.
Moreover the soundtrack, it additionally made sneaking round much more intense as a result of I really felt surrounded by the sound and picked up on each footstep or growl, these are small sounds that usually go unnoticed with regular audio system. My solely grievance could be that I want the equalizer within the app allowed extra management in adjusting the audio, however the signature setting already sounds nice and will please most avid gamers on the market.
The Superhuman Listening to additionally is useful if it’s good to enhance the quantity of the sport or for if you take calls in your telephone.
Mic
I acquired quite a lot of optimistic suggestions when utilizing the mic throughout calls whereas gaming. I like that the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max permits me to make calls with my telephone and everybody stated I sounded clear, though after I used the aspect tone choice to listen to myself individuals complained of listening to themselves echo through the name. In any other case, all the things was good and the mic labored nice.
It was additionally tremendous handy to flip it out of the best way when not in use or flip it out after I was prepared to talk.
Battery life
Turtle Seashore charges the battery lifetime of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max for 40 hours or extra. After utilizing it for the previous few weeks, I can vouch that it undoubtedly exceeds 30 hours together with a while in standby. They didn’t appear to dwell as much as the 40+ hours listed within the specs, however that might be because of me utilizing it to make calls over Bluetooth whereas gaming and a few battery misplaced throughout standby time.
Both means, you’ll nonetheless get loads of gaming trip of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max, and you need to solely must cost it up as soon as per week except you’re a full-time gamer. Plus, for those who discover the battery getting low, then you may get eight hours of battery life from a 15-minute cost because of quick-charging.
Closing ideas
As somebody who has used TV audio system, soundbars, and encompass sound—I can confidently say nothing compares to utilizing a superb gaming headset. And the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is a good gaming headset.
It has a sturdy construct, lengthy battery life, unbelievable audio high quality, an Android app to simply regulate the settings, and a crystal clear mic. Moreover some tiny nitpicks in regards to the weight, clamping pressure, and the app being a bit too fundamental, the Turtle Seashore Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is a formidable gaming headset for less than $150.