Four new Walkman-style cassette players - Are they any good?

Summary

This video compares modern cassette players inspired by the iconic Sony Walkman with vintage models. The review covers four contemporary models: the Mulann B-1000 EW, FiiO CP13, We Are Rewind, and Tomashi F-113, analyzing their build quality, audio performance, and pricing. While some models perform well with decent sound quality, others suffer from issues like speed inaccuracies and poor wow and flutter. The reviewer suggests that the Mulann B-1000 EW offers the best balance of price and performance, while the FiiO shows potential, and the Tomashi F-113 is the least recommended due to its poor performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sony Walkman and its imitators from the '80s and '90s are iconic but are often broken due to issues with rubber belts.
• 😀 Repairing these vintage Walkmans can be challenging, and even after belt replacement, the sound quality may still be subpar.
• 😀 There are several modern cassette players attempting to replicate the Walkman, including the Mulann B-1000 EW, FiiO CP13, We Are Rewind, and Tomashi F-113.
• 😀 The Mulann B-1000 EW is priced at approximately $50 and offers a decent balance of price and performance, with a wow and flutter of 0.3%.
• 😀 The FiiO CP13, priced at around $119, offers great wow and flutter performance (0.17%) but suffers from a speed issue, playing too fast, which worsens over time.
• 😀 The We Are Rewind, priced at $159.95, is stylish but underperforms in terms of audio quality and wow and flutter, despite offering Bluetooth output.
• 😀 The Tomashi F-113 is the cheapest option at $29.99 but has the worst wow and flutter (0.4%) and generally poor performance.
• 😀 All four modern cassette players share a similar internal mechanism, with minor variations in materials and design. They use the same ES4201 tape head.
• 😀 Speed adjustment is available on most models except for the FiiO CP13, which is sealed and lacks user-accessible speed calibration.
• 😀 For audio quality, the Mulann B-1000 and We Are Rewind are the most acceptable for casual listening, while the Tomashi and FiiO suffer from significant audio issues.
• 😀 Vintage players like the RCA and Realistic Minisette 11, though older, still provide solid performance for their age and can be a viable option for those seeking an authentic experience.

Q & A

What is a common issue with the Sony Walkman and its imitators?

A common issue is that the rubber belts inside these devices often stretch, snap, or melt over time, causing them to malfunction.

What is the primary cause of malfunction in most vintage Walkmans?

The primary cause is usually the degradation of the rubber belts that are essential for the cassette mechanism's operation.

What is the advantage of purchasing a brand new Walkman-like device?

Brand new devices, like the Mulann B-1000 EW and the FiiO CP13, offer modern features and the assurance of no wear and tear compared to vintage models.

How do the four new cassette players (Mulann, FiiO, We Are Rewind, Tomashi) compare in terms of size?

The Mulann B-1000 EW is the smallest and thinnest, the Tomashi F-113 is about the same size as many vintage Walkmans, the FiiO CP13 is slightly larger, and the We Are Rewind is the largest.

What feature does the We Are Rewind have that the other models don't?

The We Are Rewind has Bluetooth output in addition to its regular headphone output.

Why is the recording feature on these models generally not recommended for music recording?

The recording quality is poor, mainly due to the use of a permanent magnet erase head, which results in subpar recordings, suitable only for voice dictation.

What is the main difference between the cheaper and premium models in terms of construction?

The premium models like the Mulann and We Are Rewind use a metal flywheel, which theoretically ensures more stable speed and less wow and flutter compared to the plastic flywheel in the cheaper models.

What does 'wow and flutter' refer to in cassette players?

'Wow and flutter' refers to variations in the speed of tape playback, which can cause audio to sound wobbly or out of tune.

Which new cassette player shows the most promise based on the video?

The FiiO CP13 shows the most promise, but it suffers from speed inaccuracies that could be improved in future production runs.

Which model is recommended as the best overall compromise in terms of price and performance?

The Mulann B-1000 EW is considered the best compromise, offering adequate sound quality at a reasonable price.