Sony ES-IV Metal - 1991/92 - JP
Anything Sony ES denotes higher quality over the likes of an SR (North America) or XR (Europe). The same goes for a Sony "Dynametal" ES Type IV tape.
Note 1: 50 Minutes: 1992: Made specifically for the Japanese market. One large tear off the wrapper, while security strip is still on there! See pictures. Added July 27, 2026. Only 1 available
Note 1: 74 Minutes: 1992: Made specifically for the Japanese market. Lightly scuffed wrapper with one large rip on the reverse side, partially repaired with some clean clear tape. See pictures. Added July 27, 2026. Only 1 available
Note 1: 100 Minutes: 1991: Made specifically for the Japanese market. Added November 18, 2022. SOLD
About Sony:
Sony Corporation (ソニー株式会社 Sonī Kabushiki Kaisha, /ˈsoʊni/ SOH-nee, stylized as SONY) is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Kōnan, Minato, Tokyo.[9][1]
Sony began in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo, founded by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita with a focus on turning advanced research into practical consumer technology. By the 1960s, the company had adopted the Sony name and expanded into magnetic tape, quickly becoming one of Japan’s most innovative audio manufacturers.
Through the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Sony established a strong presence in the cassette market with lines such as HF (Normal), UCX/UX (Type II), and Metal‑ES/Metal‑XR (Type IV). These tapes were known for clean, stable formulations and consistently high build quality, earning Sony a reputation amongst the best in the upper tier of global tape production.
As the cassette era wound down, Sony gradually exited in‑house tape manufacturing and shifted its focus toward electronics, imaging sensors, gaming, and content creation. Unlike some of its competitors, Sony did not sell or transfer its tape‑manufacturing operations; the company simply wound them down as the cassette era ended. Yet its cassette legacy, from the everyday HF to the premium Metal ES, remains highly regarded.
Sony ES-IV Metal - 1991 - JP