I feel like the best compliment you can give a headset is that you forgot you were wearing it. Most of my gaming and media consumption time is spent with a rather pricey pair of wireless headphones over my ears and while they are immensely comfortable, I’m almost always keenly aware I’m wearing them. The inverse happened to me during my time with the new Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX Wireless headset, a surprisingly impactful little unit that achieves fantastic sound quality on a relatively approachable budget.
First up, let’s talk form factor. The Gen 2 Max is surprisingly lightweight for the tech it’s boasting just under the proverbial hood. It (eventually) sits effortlessly on the head but the lean plastic design that gives it weightlessness also hampers flexibility and can feel stiff at times. The ear cups themselves are serviceable at best, with relatively basic padding that sits almost too snuggly on the noggin without providing enough cushioning to balance out the pressure. It’s not a dealbreaker, especially given the impressive quality elsewhere and the fact that, over time, you stop noticing. But for the price range, the initial grating between head and headset is worth noting.
In terms of on-unit capabilities, the Gen 2 MAX offers a nice, expected array of options. The flip down mic is snappy and discreet when in use, while also folding away seamlessly when you don’t need it. There are two dials for you to occasionally get confused between, one a master volume and the other a mic balancing option for more controlled use during chat sessions. These are right on top of each on the headset and I would frequently mix them up, a small inconvenience but still. Elsewhere is your Mode button that switches the sound profiles and a standard USB-C connection port. Again, a serviceable set of options that are clustered a little too tightly on the left cup but sleekly implemented all the same.
The headset is a compact and sleek unit
Before we dive into the headset’s best qualities, I’d be remiss to not at least touch on the aesthetics of the unit. That lightweight plastic does at least give the whole thing a very compact and slim look – all smooth edges, and clean lines. In terms of finishes, the standard black looks best to my eyes, complementing the clean simplicity of the physical design, but the midnight red is striking too. As you can see from the photos, my review unit was this outlandish Artic Camo, a pattern that screams GAMER but is at least slightly subdued when seen in person.
Where the Gen 2 MAX really shines is it adaptability and sound quality though. Thanks to the USB dongle, this headset can be used with all your current consoles as well as PC, though with the Switch only in docked mode. This flexibility of use is fantastic value for money, neatly sidestepping the typically locked-to-X-console functionality of higher-end units without sacrificing performance. The headset’s wireless microphone holds up well considering the price range and wireless connection, offering a crisp sound with relatively balanced levels to avoid that crunchy compression most affordable headsets succumb to.
The flip-to-mute microphone is discreet and crisp
Sound-wise, the Gen 2 MAX is a robust unit that kept pace with everything I threw at it. When I get a new set of headphones I always jump into Spotify first and blast some K-Pop, a genre I find hits the right base and layered track composition to really notice how it sounds through new hardware. Suffice to say, K/DA sounded crisp and impactful through these 50mm speakers. That same wireless adaptability and lightweight design also make this a good all-rounder entertainment headset, capable of giving you a solid sound experience for movies and television too.
On the gaming front, the headset does an admirable job of tapping into the 3D-spatial audio capabilities of modern consoles. I played half a dozen rounds of Fortnite on my pair and found little to no noticeable differences in spatial sound quality between the Gen 2 MAX and my previously mentioned pricey headset. High impact gameplay moments had the right amount of punch thanks to solid base and treble balancing, and sound was layered nicely in party chat. I’d also be remiss to not mention this thing’s incredible battery life, allowing up to 48 hours of play on a full charge, or even on a quick charge you can still get nearly 10 hours of use.
All of your functionality is grouped together
Final Thoughts
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX Wireless headset is a fantastically adaptable unit that can unify your entertainment needs with sound quality that doesn’t break the bank. While its light-weight plastic design and lack of substantial padding in the ear cups can occasionally be uncomfortable or unyielding, over time it can become negligible for the asking price. A crisp mic and well-rounded sound profile make this a solid choice for Gamers looking to upgrade their headset experience.
Review unit supplied by the manufacturer
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