Maxell UR - 2002 - MX-ID-KR
The most common cassette in the world. The UR C90 minutes version is still made in Panggung, Indonesia, as recently it resumed production for Maxell (outside of Japan...) sometime in September of 2023. See two links below for your enjoyment:
https://www.panggung.com/solutions/audio-cassette-tapes-blank-cassette/
https://cdm.link/maxell-still-makes-cassettes/
"Take note that these are very capable Type I tapes, with decent audio quality recordings. Indeed, to our ears, it does its illustrious forefathers justice. They need NR, and negative bias, and if you just want a cassette with great versatility, in your Walkman, in your car, then there's no real need to spend more... this is it!" Tony Villa.
Although up to about 2002 these were also made in Mexico, Indonesia, and South Korea, only trivial small differences are visible. The hubs are the most notorious difference between them. The ones made in Mexico are typically priced lower here, but only because there is typically a higher inventory than those made in Indonesia or South Korea.
The ones from South Korea are the more expensive as the parts came from Japan and only assembled in South Korea. Anything associated with having been manufactured in Japan is always more expensive. It is also an undeniable that Japan manufacturing offers higher quality.
Note 1: 60 Mins: Made in Indonesia: B-Grade: Regularly at $2.22... Now at $1.62 each. 100% Brand new, but no wrapper! New Case, new J-Card, but... no wrapper! Only a few available
Note 2: 60 Mins: Made in Korea: Only a few available
Note 3: 60 Mins: Made in Mexico: Only 3 available
Note 4: 90 Mins: Made in Mexico: Only $1.92, Very Special Price but not forever! Last 12 available!
Note 5: 90 Mins: Made in Indonesia: Only $2.32 Well made tapes. Stock is dwindling.
Note 6: 90 Mins: Made in S. Korea: 100% perfectly fine tapes. These are great quality tapes.
Note 7: 90 Mins: Made in Mexico, S. Korea or Indonesia: B-Grade: Cassettes with larger wrapper blemishes and/or cracked cases. Priced at $1.72 each. Only 15 available. First 3 from Mexico, then 6 from Indonesia, and finally 7 from South Korea.
Note 8: 120 Mins: Made in S.Korea: Last 1 available. SOLD
See below a video by Tony Villa on Maxell UR tapes:
About Maxell:
Maxell, originally part of Hitachi’s corporate family, emerged in 1960 when a dry‑cell plant was established in Ibaraki, Osaka. In 1961, Hitachi consolidated its dry‑battery and magnetic‑tape operations into the new Maxell Electric Industrial Company, positioning the brand as Hitachi’s key vehicle for consumer recording media.
Throughout the cassette era, Maxell became one of the most respected tape manufacturers. Their formulations, especially the XLI-S (Normal), XLII‑S (CrO₂), and MX (pure metal particle), were widely regarded as peak‑performance examples of the Compact Cassette format, earning strong loyalty from audiophiles and home recording enthusiasts. Maxell also produced a full range of consumer and professional magnetic media, including computer and broadcast tapes, before later shifting away from in‑house optical and recording‑media production.
The company’s cultural visibility peaked in the 1980s with the “Blown Away Guy” advertising campaign, which cemented Maxell’s reputation for high‑performance audio cassettes. Even as Maxell diversified into batteries, storage, and functional materials, its cassette legacy, and its long-standing connection to Hitachi remains central to its identity.
Maxell UR - 2002 - Mexico / Indonesia / South Korea (Japan)