Maxell UD - 1982/83 - US/EU
"A legend of a cassette, when you take into account, shell quality, looks and performance. A definite favourite and nostalgic "basic" Type 1 cassette, from a time that these were premium products and their build quality reflected that." Tony Villa
Note 1: 1983: 60 Mins: US: The wrapper has definite scuffing throughout, but no rips or cuts. White Hubs. SOLD
Note 2: 1982: 90 Mins: US: Note the Blue Hubs on this variant. SOLD
Note 3: 1982: 90 Mins: US: B-Grade: Note the Blue Hubs on this variant. Cracked case, needs to be replaced. One picture available. Only 1 available
Note 4: 1983: 90 Mins: EU: These tapes are rarely offered. White Hubs. Only 1 available
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Click below to watch a video by Tony Villa on Maxell UD cassettes (1975!):
Watch Tony Villa’s review of the 1975 Maxell UD
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About MAXELL:
Maxell Holdings, Ltd. (日立マクセル株式会社 Hitachi Makuseru Kabushiki-gaisha), commonly known as Maxell, is a Japanese company that manufactures consumer electronics.
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.