The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 presents a compelling option for budget-conscious gamers. As an entry-level headset in Turtle Beach’s lineup, it forgoes some of the premium features of the Stealth 600 Gen 3, but with a significantly lower price tag, the Stealth 500 offers remarkable value. This review delves into its design, performance, and overall worthiness for gamers seeking quality audio without breaking the bank.
Turtle Beach Stealth 500 The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 features comfortable memory foam earcups and a convenient flip-to-mute microphone.
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The Stealth 500 boasts surprising comfort and impressive audio quality for its price point. Its lightweight design and minimal clamp pressure make it ideal for extended gaming sessions. While it lacks some of the adjustability of higher-end models, the plush leatherette earcups and deep memory foam cushioning provide exceptional comfort. The 40mm audio drivers deliver a balanced and clear sound, well-suited for a variety of game genres. Let’s explore the Stealth 500 in detail.
Design and Build: Lightweight and Comfortable
The Stealth 500’s design prioritizes comfort and functionality over premium materials. The one-piece plastic headband connects directly to the earcups, limiting adjustability and swivel. However, this contributes to the headset’s remarkably light weight of just 8.28 ounces (235 grams). This, combined with the minimal clamp pressure, makes it incredibly comfortable, even for marathon gaming sessions. The breathable leatherette earcups and plush memory foam further enhance comfort. While the plastic build raises durability concerns, the headband’s flexibility suggests it can withstand reasonable wear and tear.
Turtle Beach Stealth 500 The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 features a solid plastic outer band and a stretchy inner fabric band.
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Connectivity and Compatibility: Versatile Options
The Stealth 500 offers versatile connectivity options. It connects wirelessly to PCs and PlayStation consoles via a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle, ensuring low-latency gaming. Bluetooth connectivity allows pairing with Nintendo Switch consoles and mobile devices. Dedicated Xbox and PlayStation versions are also available, catering to specific console preferences. Switching between connectivity modes is simple using the QuickSwitch button. While simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio isn’t supported, seamless switching for incoming calls is a convenient feature. A 6-foot USB-A to USB-C cable is included for charging, and the battery life provides approximately 39 hours of usage.
Gaming Performance: Balanced Audio for Various Genres
The Stealth 500’s 40mm audio drivers deliver a balanced and clear sound across the frequency spectrum. Testing in games like Fortnite, Helldivers 2, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim revealed impressive audio fidelity. Sounds like opening chests, radio beeps, and game music were rendered with clarity and detail. The headset’s balanced audio signature makes it suitable for a wider range of game genres, particularly RPGs and adventure titles, where nuanced sound design is crucial.
Turtle Beach Stealth 500 The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 offers a comprehensive set of controls conveniently located on the left earcup.
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Software: Turtle Beach Swarm II App
The Turtle Beach Swarm II app offers extensive customization options. Users can adjust microphone sensitivity, volume, and noise gating, as well as create custom audio profiles using the 10-band equalizer. The app also allows control over SuperHuman Hearing, a Turtle Beach feature that enhances specific game sounds like footsteps and explosions, providing a competitive edge. Presets for different game genres and scenarios are available, or users can create their own custom settings.
Turtle Beach Stealth 500 The Turtle Beach Swarm II companion app features four default audio presets and allows users to create custom profiles.
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Conclusion: An Excellent Value Proposition
The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 offers impressive value for budget-minded gamers. While lacking some premium features of its more expensive sibling, the Stealth 600, its lightweight design, exceptional comfort, and balanced audio make it a compelling choice. The versatile connectivity options and robust software further enhance its appeal. For gamers seeking quality audio without the hefty price tag, the Stealth 500 is a worthy contender.
