Maxell XLI-S - 1988 - US
If you’re looking at this cassette, it’s because you already know what it can deliver. These Super Ferric formulations earned their reputation by performing surprisingly close to Metal tapes... but with one huge advantage. As a Type I (120 µs) tape, it can be played and recorded on virtually any device: basic portables, boomboxes, Walkmans, car decks, or top‑tier Hi‑Fi machines. No special EQ settings, no compatibility worries, and none of the long‑term head wear associated with Metal formulations. You get exceptional performance with the broadest range of real‑world use.
Note 1: 60 Minutes: Little to no scuffing. Clean and real paper sticker with the "Maxell Super Sweepstakes" with the Canadian Maple Leaf applied over the wrapper. Very few available.
Note 2: 60 Minutes: B-Grade: Lightly more scuffed than the ones above, and the paper sticker is more aged and worn down. Only 1 available.
Note 3: 90 Minutes: Lightly scuffed wrapper. No rips. SOLD
Collector’s Corner:
Maxell’s 1986–1991 line is known for its hazy see‑through windows, often making collectors wonder whether the cloudiness is residue or something worse. I finally tested it by opening a sealed MX with a bad wrapper but a foggy window. After disassembling the shell, a lightly damp microfiber cloth with diluted Windex cleared the haze completely.
Reassembling it back onto the second shell was fiddly, but the result confirmed it: the haze isn’t permanent. If you’re opening one of these for use, take a moment to clean the windows... the tapes look far better with a clear, sharp view.
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 XLI-S - 1988 - US