In the world of competitive gaming, sound is survival. Being able to accurately pinpoint the direction of gunfire, footsteps, and other critical audio cues can mean the difference between a clutch win and a frustrating loss. A quality gaming headset is one of the best investments you can make to step up your game. But with so many options across various price ranges, it can be challenging to find the right balance of performance and value.
Enter the Turtle Beach Stealth 300, a wired amplified gaming headset that aims to deliver immersive audio for an attainable $79.99. Turtle Beach has been a leader in gaming audio for over a decade, known for offering a wide selection of headsets tailored for different needs and budgets. The Stealth 300 slots into their mid-range lineup, offering several premium features despite its lower cost of entry.
Unboxing & Setup
The Stealth 300 comes nicely presented in a sturdy black and blue box featuring an imposing closeup of the headset on front. Included in the package are:
- Stealth 300 headset
- Removable high-sensitivity mic
- 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable
- Micro-USB charging cable
- Quick start guide
- Turtle Beach sticker
Setup is refreshingly simple. Just plug the 3.5mm audio cable into the headset, charge it up with the included micro-USB cable, and connect it to your PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch or mobile device. The Stealth 300 is ready to use right out of the box—no additional software or firmware updates are required.
Specifications
Before we dive into the look, feel, and performance, let‘s check out the key technical specs:
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Speaker Size | 50mm with Neodymium magnets |
| Speaker Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Mic Design | Unidirectional, noise-cancelling |
| Mic Frequency Response | 100Hz – 10kHz |
| Connection Type | 3.5mm |
| Cable Length | 4.2ft / 1.3m |
| Battery Life | 30 hours |
| Weight | 12.1oz / 344g |
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile |
The 50mm drivers with Neodymium magnets are a standout feature at this price point. These are tuned to deliver deep, powerful lows and crisp, clear highs. The 20Hz – 20kHz frequency response range is in line with most mid-range gaming headsets and encompasss the full range of human hearing.
One odd design choice is the lack of flexibility to use the Stealth 300 as a passive headset when the battery runs dry. Many competing headsets allow for both passive and amplified listening.
Design & Comfort
Visually, the Stealth 300 sports an understated aesthetic that‘s all business. The black plastic frame with bluecamouflage accents (the Xbox version features green camo instead) is more subtle than many flashier gaming headsets. The only branding is a silver Turtle Beach logo on each earcup.
This minimalist design allows the headset to double as a pair of everyday wired headphones without drawing too much attention. The large oval earcups feature a generous amount of soft foam padding covered in breathable mesh fabric to keep your ears from overheating. The earcups completely encompass my ears, providing a good seal and an immersive listening experience.
The floating headband is metal-reinforced for added durability and automatically adjusts to your head‘s shape. The underside features ample cushioning wrapped in the same mesh fabric as the earcups. At 344g, the Stealth 300 is not the lightest gaming headset but the weight is well distributed and the clamp force is just right for my medium-sized head.
After several multi-hour gaming sessions and conference calls, I experienced zero discomfort or ear fatigue. People who wear glasses may experience some pressure points due to the snug fit though.
On-ear controls are smartly arranged on the rear of the left earcup, within easy reach of your thumb. From top to bottom you get a clickable power button, volume wheel, mic monitoring wheel, and a microUSB port for charging. The volume wheel has a nice smooth action while the mic wheel offers more resistance to prevent accidental adjustment.
Mic Performance
The Stealth 300‘s removable high-sensitivity mic is an above-average performer thanks to several smart design choices. For starters, the unidirectional mic focuses on picking up your voice directly in front of it while rejecting noise from other directions for clearer voice comms.
The bendable rubber boom gives you greater positioning flexibility to get the perfect distance from your mouth. Plus, the mic automatically mutes when you flip it up, giving you privacy when you need it. In my testing across Discord, Xbox Live, and Zoom calls, my voice consistently came through loud and clear without any distortion or clipping.
While it‘s no match for a dedicated USB or XLR mic, the Stealth 300‘s voice reproduction is natural and full-bodied enough for podcasting and game streaming. Just be aware that the mic picks up a fair amount of keyboard clickity-clack when positioned close to your hands.
Audio Quality & Gaming Performance
To put the Stealth 300‘s audio chops to the test, I ran it through a gauntlet of games across multiple genres, as well as music and movies. The short verdict? These cans punch well above their weight to deliver powerful, dynamic sound with plenty of detail and immersion.
The Stealth 300‘s amplified audio immediately made its presence felt in Apex Legends. I could hear enemy footsteps, reloads, and ability cues more clearly, giving me a better sense of my surroundings. The crack of gunfire and crunch of explosions hit hard without overwhelming subtler sounds.
Enabling one of the four built-in EQ presets – Signature Sound, Bass Boost, Bass + Treble Boost, or Vocal Boost – changes up the sound slightly but I mostly stuck with the default Signature Sound setting. To my ears, Bass Boost muddies up the mids too much while Bass + Treble Boost makes the highs a bit harsh.
Moving on to Resident Evil 2, the Stealth 300 deftly handles the ominous groans of the undead, the thudding of a tyrant‘s footsteps, and the nerve-wracking silence of creeping through a pitch-black corridor. The binaural presentation makes it easy to pinpoint the direction of shuffling zombies and lickers.
Swapping over to Forza Horizon 4, the rev of the engines delivers a meaty, visceral rumble while squealing tires and crunching gravel come through cleanly in the mids and highs. While a nice racing wheel and pedals setup would further elevate the experience, the Stealth 300 does a commendable job of pulling you into the driver‘s seat and ratcheting up your heart rate.
The only area where the Stealth 300 comes up short is virtual surround sound. Unlike some pricier headsets, the Stealth 300 doesn‘t include any hardware-side processing to expand the soundstage. You‘re limited to whatever surround sound option the connected device offers like Dolby Atmos, Windows Sonic, or a game‘s own headphone surround mix.
On the music front, I tested the Stealth 300 with several tracks across different genres in Spotify. Daft Punk‘s "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" packs a powerful, driving bassline and crisp hi-hats without muddying up the iconic vocoder vocals.
Switcing to something more laidback, Norah Jone‘s "Don‘t Know Why" sounds warm and intimate with pleasing detail in her feathery vocals and the accompanying band. Sure, the Stealth 300 won‘t be replacing my Sennheiser HD650 for criticial music listening, but it‘s enjoyable enough to serve as your everyday headphones for commuting or office work.
Movie performance is also solid given the cinematic bent of the Stealth 300‘s default tuning. Watching Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the whoosh of helicopter blades whirl convincingly around my head in the climatic aerial chase while the meaty thud of hand-to-hand combat hits with authority. Dialogue mostly comes through clearly even in hectic action scenes.
Battery Life
Turtle Beach claims the Stealth 300 can last up to 30 hours on a single charge. In my experience, you can safely expect around 25 hours of use at 50% volume, which is still impressive for a mid-range wireless headset. Expect that number to drop if you frequently crank the volume to 11.
On the plus side, the Stealth 300 alerts you with an audible beep when the battery is running low, giving you time to find a micro-USB cable. It takes around 3 hours to fully juice up from empty. The lack of USB-C charging is a bummer in 2021 but understandable at this price point.
Comparisons
So how does the Stealth 300 stack up against other mid-range wireless headsets? Let‘s take a look at some key competitors:
| Headset | Price | Battery Life | Connectivity | Mic | Virtual Surround |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Beach Stealth 300 | $79.99 | 30 hours | Wired 3.5mm | Detachable | No |
| HyperX Cloud Stinger | $49.99 | N/A | Wired 3.5mm | Fixed | No |
| Razer Kraken X | $49.99 | N/A | Wired 3.5mm | Detachable | 7.1 surround |
| Corsair HS60 Pro | $69.99 | N/A | Wired 3.5mm | Detachable | 7.1 surround |
| SteelSeries Arctis 1 | $99.99 | 20 hours | Wireless 2.4GHz | Detachable | No |
As you can see, the Stealth 300 competes well on price, battery life (where applicable), and comfort with its plush earcups and floating headband design. Sound quality is above-average across the board. The lack of virtual surround is a drawback compared to the Kraken X and HS60 Pro at lower price points.
If you can live without the amplified audio and extended battery life, both the HyperX Cloud Stinger and Razer Kraken X arguably offer better value with solid build quality, good sound, and added features like virtual surround in the case of the Kraken X.
Meanwhile, the SteelSeries Arctis 1 is a compelling alternative if wireless convenience is a must-have. For an extra $20, you get a lightweight design, detachable mic, and USB-C connectivity with the handy option to swap in a wired 3.5mm cable.
Verdict
The Turtle Beach Stealth 300 is a very good mid-range wired headset that delivers big on sound, comfort, and battery life. The amplified audio provides an immersive and detailed soundscape for gaming, movies, and music without completely breaking the bank.
Build quality is solid, the earcups are supremely comfortable for binge gaming sessions, and the mic performs well for competitive play and casual chat. While the lack of virtual surround and USB-C charging are disappointing omissions, they‘re understandable at this price point.
Still, the forced amplified mode feels limiting for those times you just want to plug in and play. The inability to use the Stealth 300 in passive mode once the battery dies could leave you in the lurch mid-firefight. This, along with the micro-USB charging and plasticky design, makes the Stealth 300 design feel a tad dated in 2021.
Overall, the Stealth 300 is easy to recommend for cross-platform console and PC gamers seeking a wallet-friendly headset with powerful sound and a competent mic. The enhanced audio lends itself well to immersive single-player games and competitive multiplayer alike.
Just be aware that you can arguably get similar or better performance for less money from wired alternatives like the HyperX Cloud Stinger and Razer Kraken X. And for a bit more coin, wireless options like the SteelSeries Arctis 1 offer greater convenience and versatility.
If you can find the Turtle Beach Stealth 300 on sale though, you‘ll be rewarded with a big, bombastic soundscape, a good mic, and all-day comfort for gaming and everyday listening. It‘s a solid option for Turtle Beach fans seeking a tried-and-true mid-range headset.
Pros
- Powerful, detailed amplified sound
- Plush, breathable earcups are extremely comfortable
- Detachable noise-canceling mic
- Bendable mic with auto-mute feature
- Long 30-hour battery life
- Durable metal-reinforced headband
- Reasonable $79.99 MSRP
Cons
- Can‘t be used in passive mode without battery
- Outdated micro-USB charging
- No virtual surround sound
- Plasticky build doesn‘t feel premium
- 3.5mm cable is on the short side
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Stealth 300 work with the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S?
Yes, the Stealth 300 is compatible with all modern consoles including the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Just plug the headset into the 3.5mm jack on your controller and you‘re good to go. Keep in mind that you may need a separate Xbox adapter for controllers without a 3.5mm port.
Can I replace the ear cushions?
Unfortunately, the Stealth 300‘s ear cushions are not replaceable. If they become worn or damaged over time, you‘ll likely need to replace the entire headset.
Is the microphone detachable?
Yes, the Turtle Beach Stealth 300‘s mic can be detached for a cleaner look when listening to music or watching movies. Just gently pull it out of the earcup when you don‘t need it.
Does the Stealth 300 have sidetone/mic monitoring?
Yes, the Stealth 300 features mic monitoring so you can hear your own voice while speaking. The sidetone level can be adjusted using the mic monitoring wheel on the left earcup.
How do I adjust the audio presets?
To cycle through the Stealth 300‘s four audio presets, simply press the power button once while the headset is turned on. A voice prompt will alert you to which preset is active.
