Xbox Wi-fi Headset vs. Turtle Seashore Stealth 700 (Gen 2): Battle of the Bluetooth

Bluetooth Battle! With an increasing number of of us shifting our gaming from console, to PC, and to cell, and every thing in between, having cross-platform succesful headsets is changing into all the fashion. Most of the headsets listed on our best Xbox One headset and best Xbox Series X and Series S headsets lists are, actually, multi-platform succesful to that finish. Microsoft noticed this pattern and launched its Xbox Wireless Headset just lately, becoming a member of a rising variety of headsets that provide Bluetooth and Xbox Wi-fi simultaneous sound mixing.

What’s extra, they introduced this in at simply $99, making it one of many best-value headsets in the marketplace proper now. For Bluetooth mixing, its closest competitor might be the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 2) headset, which has comparable options, albeit at a $50 premium.

Can the Xbox Wi-fi Headset reliably tackle a headset that’s $50 dearer? We put each headsets face to face to search out out.

	Xbox Wi-fi Headset	Turtle Seashore Stealth 700
Frequency Response	20Hz – 20kHz	20Hz – 20kHz
Speaker Dimension	40mm	50mm
Speaker material	Artificial leather-based	Coolant-gel infused material
Compatibility	Xbox Wi-fi, Bluetooth	Xbox Wi-fi, Bluetooth
Battery Life	15 hours	20 hours
Additional Options	Auto-mute mic function, Dolby Atmos built-in	“Superhuman” listening to function, flip-to-mute mic
Worth	$99	$149

Sound expertise

Supply: Home windows CentralXbox Wi-fi Headset (Left) vs. Turtle Seashore Stealth 700 (Proper)

On paper, these headsets are extraordinarily shut. They boast the identical frequency vary, though the Turtle Seashore Stealth 700 has a barely bigger speaker measurement at 50mm, to the Xbox Wi-fi Headset’s 40mm. Regardless of the value disparity, the headsets are very shut when it comes to uncooked audio high quality basically, with a number of caveats.

I might argue that the Stealth 700 gives a broader sound stage, with superior separation versus the slimmer profile on the Xbox Wi-fi Headset. Consequently, gameplay encompass in titles like Overwatch that do assist Dolby Atmos appear to supply a superior sense of route versus the Xbox Wi-fi Headset, albeit ever-so-slightly. Moreover, the Stealth 700 goes all-in on tactical sound, with its “Superhuman Listening to” mode elevating highs like footsteps to the highest of the sound profile on the faucet of a button. Whereas this will sound “crunchy,” it is undeniably nice for video games like Name of Obligation, drawing your consideration to enemy actions with better immediacy.

I wrote in my assessment of the Xbox Wi-fi Headset that I discovered the bass overpowering, even with it dialed again. Some individuals like tons of bass, however I discovered it lower by different frequencies a bit extra aggressively than I might have favored. Additionally, bass frequencies do not usually provide any tactical benefit, on condition that enemy reloads and footsteps extra usually sit within the excessive ranges.

Supply: Home windows Central

I discovered the out-of-the-box audio profile on the Stealth 700 to be superior as properly on this regard, with bass that is still highly effective, however not overbearing. Both approach, each headsets have extremely configurable EQ, which we’ll dive into within the subsequent part.

Whereas the Stealth 700 seems to have an edge in audio, even when each of them aren’t precisely the best sound expertise in the marketplace, there is a massive downside with the Stealth 700 that holds it again. I have never used my Stealth 700 since I did the assessment a number of months again. After pairing it again as much as my Xbox, I discovered that over time, sign degradation introduces distortion into the sound combine. This will produce digital artifacting, too, which is simply disagreeable the extra you discover it. I attempted updating the firmware, repairing the headset, and ensuring the battery was full, however for no matter motive, the sign on my Turtle Seashore Stealth 700 unit appears to have degraded over time.

To be fully truthful, I do not know if my unit has obtained some kind of harm to trigger this (I actually do not suppose it has). And my Xbox Wi-fi Headset unit is model new as of writing. Due to that sign distortion, the Xbox Wi-fi Headset finally ends up sounding higher total than the Stealth 700.

Software program and options

Supply: Home windows Central

The Xbox Wi-fi Headset and Turtle Seashore Stealth 700 each pack in some further options that add worth over their opponents, however some are extra helpful than others.

The Xbox Wi-fi Headset’s fundamental further function is a nifty auto-mute performance, that detects whenever you’re not truly talking, and mutes the mic. This cuts out background noise and respiratory, focusing completely on making certain that speech is prioritized for comms. Neither headset has a very nice mic, however each are satisfactory and can do the job for Xbox Dwell or Discord voice chat. The Turtle Seashore mic additionally has a flip to mute function, which is a pleasant contact. By comparability, the Xbox Wi-fi Headset has an LED gentle that turns purple whenever you’re muted.

I’ve already touched on the “Superhuman Listening to” that comes with the Turtle Seashore headset, supplying you with sound impact accentuation on the contact of a button. It is nice for video games like PUBG and Name of Obligation, supplying you with a better sense of consciousness. You possibly can create the same expertise with the Xbox Wi-fi Headset by taking part in round with the EQ modes to offer precedence to highs in order for you, however the comfort on the Stealth 700 provides it an edge in that regard.

The place the Xbox Wi-fi Headset dominates the Stealth 700 is in software program high quality. To regulate the Turtle Seashore Stealth 700 headset you must join it by way of Bluetooth to a cell phone. Getting the app to acknowledge the headset by way of Bluetooth is an absolute chore, and took a number of repeat makes an attempt to get it to pair. The Xbox Wi-fi Headset is way smoother, utilizing the Xbox Equipment app on PC or your Xbox console. It is seamless, straightforward, and comes with nice options and a elegant interface. Turtle Seashore must step up its software program improvement fairly a bit.

Design and luxury

Supply: Home windows Central and Home windows Central

With regards to design and luxury, it is fairly shut throughout the board. The Xbox Wi-fi Headset has massive intuitive dials on either side of the headset, with fast quantity grading and really easy motion. The chat combine quantity management additionally has a magnetic notch on the halfway level to tell you when the sound combine is centered. The Stealth 700 has small dials on one facet, and it is easy to overlook which dial does which with out wanting, and there is not any notch to middle the amount combine dial both, which is much less intuitive.

Design is at all times within the eye of the beholder, and a few will choose the design on the Stealth 700 or the Xbox Wi-fi Headset. I choose the metallic accents on the Stealth 700, and the flexibility to tuck the microphone away into the headset makes it preferable for conditions the place you do not wish to appear to be you are sporting a gamer headset, like utilizing it on public transport or one thing. Let’s not overlook that these are Bluetooth headsets, and Microsoft is basically asking you to stroll round with an enormous microphone protruding when you decide to make use of theirs outdoors, contemplating there is not any option to cover or detach the microphone.

Each headsets are ethereal and light-weight to be used throughout lengthy gaming classes.

The place the Stealth 700 additionally evokes a bit extra confidence is in its building. Whereas it is unfair to guage the Xbox Wi-fi Headset primarily based on the Surface Headphones, their Microsoft-y cousins have a crippling flaw within the headband, which results in them snapping. The Xbox Wi-fi Headset feels prefer it has a metallic strut throughout the underside of the headscarf, which might clear up this flaw, however it’s merely arduous to inform how prone they will be to put on and tear over time with out ripping them aside. On the flip facet, you’ll be able to visibly see the metal headband that runs throughout the whole lot of the Stealth 700. This headset has seen a ton of use over the previous a number of months that I’ve had it too, and I’ve seen no indicators of damage and tear as of but, in addition to the degradation of the sign high quality.

Each headsets are ethereal and light-weight to be used throughout lengthy gaming classes too. The Stealth 700 has coolant-infused cushioning which maybe provides them a slight edge, however the leatherette end on the Xbox Wi-fi Headset can also be cool to the contact in its personal proper. Finally, I believe neither headset will give the vast majority of individuals issues with regards to match and luxury.

I am going to you should definitely replace this section for the Xbox Wi-fi Headset a number of months in. You’d need to hope that Xbox has a bit extra expertise with regards to longevity vs. Floor, as gaming equipment are inclined to take extra of a beating than “life-style” merchandise.

Conclusion

Supply: Home windows Central

Whereas I do suppose the Stealth 700 has an edge within the audio division, my unit has turn out to be defective over time, degrading the sign energy to the purpose the place the audio profile is impacted. In the course of the warmth of battle it is much less noticeable, however all these particulars which might have shined above the Xbox Wi-fi Headset beforehand now not do. Moreover, the Xbox Wi-fi Headset has superior dealing with with regards to Bluetooth sound mixing. I actually really feel just like the antennas on the Stealth 700 intervene with one another, inflicting degradation when Bluetooth is in use. Bluetooth is terrible basically, however the Xbox Wi-fi Headset feels prefer it performs higher on this space.

Neither headset helps a 3.5mm jack, however the reality they each sport Bluetooth makes them a succesful choice for “on the go” music and gaming. The flip to mute mic on the Stealth 700 tucks away neatly into the headphones. Coupled with a extra delicate design profile, the Stealth 700 is rather less awkward to put on in public in consequence. Each headsets carry out properly with regards to consolation and battery life, offering all-day gaming chargeable by way of USB-C.

As an final backside line? I believe the Xbox Wi-fi Headset edges out the competitors with regards to pure worth. Though I’ve a sense my Stealth 700 has turn out to be defective by some means, the sign degradation is one thing I skilled again when the product was new as properly, and it looks like it has solely gotten worse. By comparability, the Xbox Wi-fi Headset options rock-solid connectivity and can also be Dolby Atmos licensed, which means you do not have to pay additional to get Atmos digital encompass sound. I believe the Stealth 700 is a better-sounding product, however the sign woes offset the good points for me. Chances are high you may not expertise the identical issues when you purchase the Stealth 700 new as of writing, however even nonetheless, you pay $50 additional for what is just marginally better-sounding for my part.

All issues thought-about, the Xbox Wi-fi Headset represents superior worth I really feel, however the Stealth 700’s are maybe extra versatile as an all-in-one headset product, given that you may cover the microphone away when you’re out and about in public or just not utilizing voice comms. Execs and cons for various situations, and so long as you may get a Stealth 700 with a secure antenna (in contrast to me), likelihood is you will not be disenchanted with both buy.