Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) review

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is, as you might have guessed, the company’s third iteration of its upper mid-range gaming headset. But does the third time really make it the charm? With upgrades like multi-platform connectivity and marathon battery life, it promises a seamless experience across devices. But is it worth your money? Let’s dive into our Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 review.

What I like about the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3)

Let’s start with one of the most important considerations: How does the headset sound? The Stealth 700 (Gen 3) certainly comes out swinging with its 60mm dual drivers. Our frequency response measurements show one heck of a low-end emphasis compared to our preference curve, which definitely matched the bass strength I heard in-game. I could feel the rumble of explosions and action sequences, though this tuning is way too excessive for most casual music listening. Thankfully, you can tone it down using the custom EQ in the companion app.

There’s also a notable dip in the midrange between 200-600Hz that does affect some vocal clarity and certain instruments. Generally, a V-shaped sound signature like this is common for gaming headsets, as it emphasizes both bass-heavy environmental effects and tactical high-frequency details like footsteps and reloading sounds. While attempting another cycle in Returnal, there was boominess to the crumbling platforms and venom-like aliens pouncing to attack me. Localizability was fine with a few enemies but became more difficult the more crowded the battle.

If hearing dialogue or vocals is crucial to your game, the companion app’s Superhuman hearing function does help by pretty much eliminating all bass emphasis.

Aside from the sound signature, something unique to the Stealth 700 gen 3 is the CrossPlay function, which uses dual USB transmitters to enable seamless switching between gaming platforms. This is perhaps my favorite feature because it solves a common pain point for multi-platform gamers like myself. See, when you want to switch consoles, you either need to unplug and replug the dongle or switch headsets if they only work with a specific console. Now, I can just leave one of the two USB dongles plugged into each console and switch between the two with the press of a button.

You can even simultaneously connect to a third device via Bluetooth for more use cases. For instance, I was able to listen to a podcast on my phone while playing Marvel Rivals without losing focus, which was in big part to the headset’s three separate volume wheels: one for in-game volume, one to adjust your game and chat balance, and another for Bluetooth connections.

The microphone quality is pretty good for online multiplayer matches or Discord chats, though I did, on occasion, have teammates tell me my microphone volume sounded too low even when I turned the relevant dial up. The flip-to-mute microphone tucks away discretely into the headset when not in use, too.

Lastly, the battery life is also exceptional. With up to 80 hours of use and quick-charging capability, the Stealth 700 (Gen 3) significantly outperforms competitors in its price range. My testing backed up these claims – during a marathon weekend of Baldur’s Gate 3, the headset lasted through my entire journey from the Nautiloid ship crash to clearing out the Goblin Camp, including multiple multiplayer sessions and companion conversations. At the end of it, the headset was still showing 65% battery remaining.

What I don’t like about the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3)

Despite its many strengths, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 isn’t without issues. The most significant concern relates to fit comfort, particularly for users with larger heads or ears. The headband is big and bulky without much cushioning for the top of my head, which leads to unwelcome pressure. While the hybrid leatherette ear cushions are nice and cushiony, they can create a vacuum effect that limits breathability and encourages sweat build-up during longer gaming sessions.

As for noise cancelation, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 relies solely on passive isolation through its closed-back design, with no active noise cancelation (ANC). Our measurements show better performance in the higher frequencies (above 2kHz), which helps block out environmental distractions like keyboard clicks, computer fans, and voice chatter. However, lower frequency isolation isn’t great. Some ambient noise in my apartment from things like the washing machine and dryer was still audible.

Lastly, I had a few gripes with the Swarm II companion app. While you can create custom EQ profiles, the absence of game-specific or genre-specific presets feels like a missed opportunity. I also found the app unreliable at times, with settings like DPI profiles failing to save properly or resetting after a Windows restart. I also occasionally ran into device recognition issues, forcing me to restart the app to regain control over wireless functions. To make matters worse, a firmware update took nearly 30 minutes to complete while connected to both, which is pretty long for what should be a quick process. These limitations make the software feel like an afterthought rather than a well-integrated tool, which is disappointing, given how much a strong companion app can enhance the overall experience.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3)?

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 makes a compelling case for itself at $199.99, particularly for multi-platform gamers seeking a single, versatile solution. The combination of an exciting sound signature for gaming, innovative CrossPlay functionality, and exceptional battery life creates a strong value proposition in the gaming headset market. The improved build quality over the previous Stealth 700 and thoughtful features, like simultaneous Bluetooth connectivity, demonstrate Turtle Beach’s understanding of modern gaming setups.

However, users with larger heads or those who prioritize breathability during extended sessions should try before buying if possible. I wouldn’t personally wear this headset for extended hours on end. Also, the basic companion software and minimal noise isolation are trade-offs worth considering, even if they don’t significantly detract from the overall package.

At the time of publishing, these headphones are currently on sale for just $139.99 (30% off), which makes them even better value. I suspect they will often be on sale, especially during holidays like Black Friday, so if you are planning to buy them, I’d recommend keeping an eye out for a discount.

If you want to consider alternative options, I would recommend the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X ($149 at Amazon) for Xbox users wanting game-specific EQ presets or the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro ($199.99 at Amazon) for those seeking a more traditional single-platform solution with excellent microphone quality.

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) review: FAQs