The most premium gaming gear offers perks that are missing from budget options.Active noise-cancelling headsetslike theTurtle Beach Stealth Prodrown out annoying distractions. Its ability to mix wireless sources also enables it to replace several headsets in a setup. With these conveniences, the sturdily built Stealth Pro commands a high price. Fortunately, the PlayStation/PC version is experiencing an impressive discount.
At first glance, the Stealth Pro looks like headphones with an attached mic. Its understated industrial appearance doesn’t include any RGB lighting. Instead, the headset’s focus is on outlasting plastic-dominatedbudget headsets. Buyers will find steel in its headband and every area where listeners stress these peripherals. This reinforced construction results in a 400-gram weight, which makes the Stealth Pro more suited for at-home use.
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro matches the capabilities of the best wireless gaming headsets but improves upon them in every way imaginable. The Stealth Pro is powered by 50mm Nanoclear drivers that are hand-selected to reduce discrepancies between left and right audio channels. Active Noise Cancellation can reduce unwanted background noise by as much as 25 dB.For maximum listening time, the Stealth Pro allows for easy swapping of 12-hour batteries, with one battery continuously charged to avoid disappointing gamers. The Stealth Pro comes in two versions for compatibility with the PC/Xbox or PC/PS4/PS5 and is capable of simultaneous connections to Bluetooth sources.
The Stealth Pro feels somewhat snug on heads but flexes enough to avoid earlobe pain. That secure fit is critical to the headset’s sound-blocking abilities. Turtle Beach selected leatherette to cover its memory foam earpads, maintaining a tight seal on the ears. The earcups are shaped to accommodate gamers with glasses, avoiding annoying slippage.
Most gaming headsets struggle to match the sound quality of studio headphones. However, the Stealth Pro’s 50 mm Nanoclear drivers are selected to perfectly balance left and right audio channels. The device’s stock sound still emphasizes bass, making theheadset ideal for XDefiantand other FPS titles. With powerful software and EQ profiles, the Stealth Pro lets listeners hear fine details in music and movies.
Turtle Beach manufactures two versions of the Stealth Pro. The headset on sale pairs with PCs and PlayStation using a low-latency USB adapter. If you need anXbox headset, waiting for a price reduction for the Microsoft-compatible version is wise. Still, both varieties offer Bluetooth connectivity to connect to mobile sources.
Even better, gamers can mix RF and Bluetooth sources, monitoring and switching to smartphones for incoming calls. The headset ships with a compact transmitter that doubles as a charging station. A 12-hour battery life isn’t spectacular, but listeners quickly swap to a constantly recharged second battery.
How Important is Active Noise Cancellation?
Active noise cancellation separates the Stealth Pro from cheaper options like theStealth 600 Gen 3. For soundproofed gaming rooms, ANC isn’t as huge of a benefit. Most listeners don’t have that luxury and contend with observers threatening their gaming immersion. Compared to its gaming rivals, the Stealth Pro’s noise-cancelling abilities are a cut above. The headset produces neutralizing sound waves to cancel out background chatter or traffic. Gamers can also control how much ambient sound makes it in.
Even though the Stealth Pro has a compact appearance, it houses an internal mic. This microphone doesn’t impress with recording quality but is adequate for short calls. Most gamers should rely on its external boom mic, which benefits from software-powered voice isolation.
Particularly for Xbox gamers, the discounted Stealth Pro may not be practical. TheSteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wirelessis an obvious alternative. Its active noise cancellation isn’t quite as effective as the Stealth Pro. Even so, the headset offers optional wired connectivity and longer battery life. Eliminating ANC from the equation opens up more possibilities, such as the recentlyreviewed Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3. This newer headset comes with wireless adapters that work with PCs and all consoles.
