Over the years, Turtle Beach has certainly nailed a solid range of comfortable and versatile headsets across a variety of price points. But for as much as they’ve dabbled in that top shelf, they now seem ready to comfortably play in that space with the Stealth Pro headset.
This wireless headset packs in all the bells and whistles that you would expect. Quality sound, a comfortable fit and solid build quality are topped off with a dedicated DAC, interchangeable battery and even noise cancellation for good measure. While it’s not quite the best headset I’ve ever used, it’s certainly close; and certainly, the best headset Turtle Beach has ever created.
Design
The Stealth Pro feels quite standard in terms of design, with a black headband and earcups, highlighted by grey accents. It does feel a little bulky and wide at times, even if this is due to the larger faux leather padded memory foam earpads that sit within. The headband is also padded underneath, but while it gives the headset a premium feel, I personally prefer the ski band that certain headsets like the Arctic Nova Pro use, for a more comfortable fit during longer sessions.
Either way, the Stealth Pro is incredibly comfortable to wear and fits well around the ears. But its bulkier design doesn’t feel like it’s trying to disguise or repurpose itself as something you can take outside the house for commutes and walks. On the left ear cup, you’ll find a dedicated connection for the detachable microphone and a magnetic plate that easily slips off to reveal one of two included batteries, while the other sits in the dedicated dock for charging.
The right ear cup features a USB-C charging port, along with the remaining controls including power, Bluetooth and Superhuman Hearing buttons, the last of which we’ll touch upon later in the review. The volume can also be controlled by turning the plate on the outside of the earcup. The only gripe I have with these buttons is that while they’re large and easy to locate, they’re a little tricky to press. As they’re under flat rubber pads, you need to dig your finger in a little to press each button, which is never as easy as it sounds, particularly when the headset is on.
Overall, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is well-built and sturdy, with comfortable memory foam earpads that make longer gaming sessions a joy. While there’s not much else to write home about in terms of the overall design, the Stealth Pro finds success in its minimalist approach, which focuses more so on sound quality and software features as a result.
Sound & Functionality
As far as general sound quality goes, the Stealth Pro is fantastic. The sound stage felt clear and balanced, with lower bass-driven notes pumping with confidence. Plenty of music lovers will certainly benefit from this as well, with the headset providing that same clarity over Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless devices like phones, or via the dedicated transmitter from either PlayStation or Xbox consoles, depending on the version you purchase. Flume seems to be my go-to artist lately, but even so, it all sounds incredible on the Stealth Pro.
The only gripe I had with the sound quality itself was the Bluetooth codec support. The Stealth Pro only supports the SBC Bluetooth codec, which is rather entry-level in terms of audio processing. The only silver lining here is that SteelSeries seemingly haven’t gotten around to improving that either, as their Arctis Nova Pro also supports SBC only.
The included wireless transmitter is slim and minimal, with a housing for the second battery and a switch on the side to change between console and PC modes. Thankfully, that second battery basically means you’ll never have to put up with a flat headset again, as the transmitter keeps that extra battery nice and full. Turtle Beach’s claim that each battery lasts around 12 hours seems rather accurate as I pretty much got around 11 hours from my first run-through.
Unfortunately, The Stealth Pro doesn’t come included with its own spatial or 3D audio. PlayStation users can take advantage of the spatial audio that the console itself provides, while Xbox and PC users must defer to something like Windows Sonic, which is free, but an additional bit of software you might want to consider to get the best results. While the Stealth Pro includes an in-built mic, I strongly recommend attaching the boom mic for the best results. While not as nifty as the retractable Arctis Nova Pro microphone, it provides solid sound and voice quality, blocking out most background noises.
The ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) is also decent. It won’t blow anyone away, but also does a decent job of using those external microphones to block out that everyday buzz. It doesn’t feel as effective as the Arctis Nova Pro ANC, but I certainly commend it for its inclusion, given gaming headsets don’t often veer in this direction. If you’re looking to weigh up your options for everyday use, however, you might want to consider something like Sony’s WH-1000MX5.
Software
The Stealth Pro relies on the Turtle Beach Audio Hub software, which is available on iOS, Android and Windows. It allows for a wide range of customisable options, from EQ settings to microphone settings and controls. You can choose from four basic presets, or customise your own entirely. ANC can also be adjusted, while the Superhuman Hearing feature can only be adjusted while the headset is paired with the transmitter. Overall, the software is incredibly easy to navigate and wastes no time getting you to grips with its features.
As promised, it’s time to touch on the SuperHuman hearing. This feature claims to boost certain audio levels like footsteps and gunfire in games, but I never really noticed a huge difference. I used this mostly on Modern Warfare II and found that while it worked, it only seemed to raise the entire sound stage with it. That being said, dropping the overall setting via the app to lower levels seems to feel more effective.
Verdict & Value
While this doesn’t necessarily change the game for wireless headsets at this stage, it’s also the best headset that Turtle Beach has made to date. From a comfortable fit to fantastic sound quality, there’s plenty to justify that A$599 price tag. A few gripes like the tricky buttons and bulkier design rarely drag the experience down, ultimately making it one of the best gaming headsets available on the market today.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Excellent sound quality; Comfortable for longer listening and gaming sessions; Interchangeable battery; Easy to use software
Lowlights: Buttons are tricky to push at times; Design is quite bulky; Premium price tag will most likely ward off casual gamers.
Manufacturer: Turtle Beach
Price: A$599
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by Turtle Beach.
