SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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SteelSeries Arctis 1

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated May 28, 2025 01:14 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Feb 14, 2024 06:58 PM

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Picture

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Picture

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

WirelessNo

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingNo

MicYes

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

WirelessNo

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingNo

MicYes

Recommended in 1 article:
Turtle Beach

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Arctis 1

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2

The Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 are slightly better wired gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 1. While they're both decently comfortable, the Turtle Beach are better built, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and have a virtual soundstage feature that's powered by a battery with over 16 hours of continuous playback time. However, the SteelSeries have a detachable boom mic that offers better overall performance.

Variants

Arctis 1 (Black)
Arctis 1 (Destiny Edition)

Recon 200 Gen 2 (Black)
Recon 200 Gen 2 (Midnight Blue)

Review

See SteelSeries Arctis 1 Review

See Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Review

Check Price

Black

Arctis 1

Black

Recon 200 Gen 2

Destiny Edition

Arctis 1

Midnight Blue

Recon 200 Gen 2

White

Recon 200 Gen 2

Main Differences for

Neutral Sound

Threshold

0.10

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Calls

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

N/A

N/A

W

N/A

N/A

H

N/A

N/A

Volume

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Passive Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

SteelSeries Arctis 1 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

Lock dB

Lock dB

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

Lock

Lock

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

SteelSeries Arctis 1 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

N/A

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

N/A

Lock

Total Battery Life

N/A

Lock hrs

Charge Time

N/A

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

NFC Pairing

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (SBC)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL)

N/A

N/A

iOS Latency

N/A

N/A

Android Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Connection

Locked

Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

PlayStation Compatibility

PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

Black

Arctis 1

Black

Recon 200 Gen 2

Destiny Edition

Arctis 1

Midnight Blue

Recon 200 Gen 2

White

Recon 200 Gen 2

SteelSeries Arctis 1

Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2: Main Discussion

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