Maxell XLI - 1988 & 1989 - JP (Japan)
"If you are considering this cassette, it is very likely because you know their real value in terms of their capability and performance for exceptional sound reproduction. Second only to its XL-I-S richer cousin." Tony Villa
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Note 1: 1988: 60 Minutes: Lightly to Moderately scuffed wrapper with 1 tear (repaired) on the reverse side. See picture. One 1 available
Note 2: 1988: 74 Minutes: Moderately scuffed wrapper with 1 rip (repaired). See pics. SOLD
Note 3: 1988: 90 Minutes x 2: This is a 2-pack set. The tapes are not individually wrapped. SOLD
Note 4: 1989: 46 Minutes: Moderately scuffed wrapper. One tear on the front right side of the case (repaired). Only 1 available : This cassette, and others, have been added quietly as a small reward for those who check in often. Hidden Treasures for the regular visitor. Congratulations on finding it.
Note 5: 1989: 54 Minutes: Moderately to heavily scuffed wrapper. Only 1 available : This cassette, and others, have been added quietly as a small reward for those who check in often. Hidden Treasures for the regular visitor. Congratulations on finding it.
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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.