The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is a comfortable headset that provides simplistic functionality at a reasonable cost. The fact that you can use the headset for all platforms is impressive and will be a good solution for different gamers out there.
We’re about to hit headset review week here on Digitalchumps.com, and the first one up is Turtle Beach’s Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX. Built and optimized for Xbox systems, but capable of working with PlayStations, PC, and Mac, this beautiful headset is both comfortable and reliable.
Let’s talk.
Comfort
Over the last decade, we have reviewed headsets from various places and each time the comfort level of headsets continues to be at the forefront of headset design, and rightfully so. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is no exception to that comfort progress. While the exterior of the headset is a plastic mold that might feel a bit underwhelming when compared to the Elite line from Turtle Beach, the inside comfort is unrivaled. The headset bridge padding is thick, comfortable, and just feels like nothing on top of your head. This is the one area of a headset that always concerns me when it comes to new headset design. There is a lot of noggin fatigue that starts above your head when you’re wearing a headset. Sometimes the bridge can be slightly annoying, other times you’re laying the groundwork for a migraine. With the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX, it’s like nothing is there and that is perfectly where you want to be with a headset experience. I wore this headset to seven different meetings over the last week and wore it during my PC gaming sessions. There were no issues, no pressure, and just comfort to be had in this area of the headset. Bravo to the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX for that design.
As for the earpieces, they were equally as great. After seeing the plastic molding on the outside of the headset, I was concerned about its flexibility when it came to my ears. I don’t want a headset that is going to squeeze my head like a grape. I have reviewed several of those in the past, and they’re not fun. Add into that equation the need for glasses space and you’re asking a lot for a headset that is under the $150 range. It feels weird to type that, but it’s tough to find a comfortable fit all the way around, from top to sides, for less than $299. Well, color me surprised that this headset does what it claims to do, where the earpieces don’t press my glasses into my sinus cavities. The entire time I used the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX, I felt nothing from my glasses. Even the Elite gave me some issues with an eventual pressing of glasses to the sides of my head, but this headset just doesn’t do that at all. Trying to avoid feeling like your blood has been cut off from the rest of your body should be the goal of any headset earpiece. This goal was thankfully achieved by the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX.
The comfort level from top to sides was perfection. It’s honestly something I didn’t expect but happily enjoyed.
Function
This headset lives up to the billing in this area too. First and foremost, the battery life for this headset is INSANE. I charged this the moment I got it a week or so ago. I have not charged it again. It’s still working. Granted, it’s on and off, and I take great care to keep up with that, but it’s approaching the hour advertised. It seriously lasts longer than any headset I have reviewed in the past. Expect a lot of giddy-up with battery life from this horse of a headset.
On the clarity side of the tracks, it sports 50mm speakers, which means you’re getting some solid surround sound from it. It’s clear, it’s bass-y, and it works as advertised. It sounds great, though not quite competing at the level of an Audeze Mobius 3D headset, but the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX does the trick. I played several games with this (Kentucky Route Zero, Ghost of Tsushima, and Route 96) and came away very pleased with the immersive delivery it makes. It sounds smooth like a Colt 45.
Speaking of smooth, the mic on this sucker is one of the best. It picks up audio incredibly clearly and delivers it the same way. The pickup pattern for this tiny mic is so limited (it has to be, right?), but it does such a good job of capturing your voice rather than capturing the surrounding. It’s impressive to hear in action. I recorded myself a time or two during a recent stream and didn’t know I sounded that good.
The only issue I have with the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX regarding function is the transmitter. I’m unsure of the Bluetooth process that goes into registering a headset for Xbox and PlayStation. I would prefer my wireless headset to be Bluetooth. Sadly, there is a dongle/transmitter included with this headset. The biggest reason I don’t like this solution is simple – I have kids. Kids lose things. They will most certainly lose this dongle/transmitter. And believe me, it’s not a matter of ‘if’, rather it is a matter of ‘when’. I just wish this wireless solution would be BT rather than a dongle. Irresponsible kids and parenting aside, I think the quality would take a hit if it wasn’t the latter, but still, it would be one less thing to keep up with when using these.
Also, cats like stealing these and hiding them. I have gamer cats.
Anyway, let’s wrap this up.
Conclusion
The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is a comfortable headset that provides simplistic functionality at a reasonable cost. The fact that you can use the headset for all platforms is impressive and will be a good solution for different gamers out there.
