Maxell, the company that introduced the cassette tape revolution to the world, is now bringing a breath of fresh air to analog nostalgia with the Maxell MXCP-P100. The new player impresses with its classic aesthetics, wireless Bluetooth connectivity and convenient USB-C charging, making it the perfect combination for anyone who swears by the old school but lives in the year 2025.
Raise your hand if you still remember. wrapping cassette ribbons with a pencil. Or the feeling when the tape gets stuck during playback, right at your favorite song. Yes, analog nostalgia has its own wonderful pain that the digital world can't compete with. Maxell is well aware of this, which is why it has upgraded its rich cassette legacy into something that seems almost absurd - a cassette player with Bluetooth connectivity. Meet the Maxell MXCP-P100.
Maxell MXCP-P100: Retro Style, Made for 2025
Maxell MXCP-P100 is designed like a love letter to the past. Measuring 12.2 x 9.1 x 3.8 centimeters and weighing just 210 grams, it's easy to carry, even in a jacket or jeans pocket (for those who brave the belt-worn trend, the player also has a handy clip). The design is faithful to the original cassette players from the 80s and 90s, with clearly visible mechanisms that can be observed through the transparent cover. The buttons on top give that satisfying "click" that always made operating old technology a little more fun.
A mechanism appreciated by connoisseurs
Under the hood is a robust Tanashin mechanism, popular with analogue connoisseurs, but Maxell has gone a step further this time by adding a bronze flywheel. This important detail ensures smoother tape movement, reduces jitter and significantly improves sound consistency. While the player doesn't offer Dolby noise reduction or recording capabilities, it is honest in what it does offer: the pure and simple pleasure of listening to original Type 1 cassettes, up to C90 in length.
Analog audio in a wireless world
The most surprising feature of the player Maxell MXCP-P100 is Bluetooth connectivity (version 5.4). Listening to the analog warmth of cassette tapes through wireless headphones may sound strange at first, but it's this combination of old and new technology that creates a special appeal. The sound retains that charming hum and subtle analog warmth that cassette lovers appreciate, while freeing you from the annoying tangle of cables.
For traditionalists, the player still offers the classic 3.5mm headphone jack, which even extends the battery life from a wireless 7 to a respectable 9 hours. And forget about changing AA batteries - the battery charges in just two hours via the USB-C charging port.
It's not perfect, but that's exactly its charm.
The Maxell MXCP-P100 doesn't pretend to be a top-of-the-line audiophile device. This is a player for those who want the authentic cassette listening experience, with all its wonderful flaws. It's a device that won't wow you with high-resolution audio, but with that real retro feel - one that digital services will never replicate.
Price, availability and cult potential
Maxell MXCP-P100 is on On sale in Japan for about $90 (13,000 yen), which is affordable enough for collectors and nostalgic listeners. Unfortunately, it remains exclusively available on the domestic market for now, but it is already appearing on platforms like eBay at slightly higher prices. Like all good retro things, it has quickly become a cult item.
Conclusion: Analogue comeback in the digital age
Maxell MXCP-P100 is more than just a fashion gimmick. It represents a genuine connection to the past, while subtly hinting with Bluetooth connectivity that nostalgia doesn't always mean compromising on comfort. It's a device for those who know that perfection isn't always about high resolution, but about feeling – in the hum, the clicks and the tiny imperfections that make analog sound so irresistibly appealing.
Maxell is thus returning to its roots, with a modern twist that will surely leave you wondering: "How did I ever survive without a Bluetooth cassette player?"
