CES 2025: With more people realizing how little streaming services pay artists, it’s no surprise that physical music formats are making a comeback. Last year, vinyl record sales went up by 10.5%, with 6.7 million records sold, boosted by artists like Taylor Swift and Fleetwood Mac. While CD sales stayed the same, cassette tapes have also been growing in popularity again.
CES 2025: Cassette Tapes Make a Comeback
Cassette tapes are making a big comeback, with sales jumping from 81,000 in 2015 to 436,400 in 2022. Gen Z loves the retro vibe and affordability, with some albums costing just $10—much cheaper than vinyl. French brand We Are Rewind has tapped into this trend with a sleek cassette player inspired by the Sony Walkman, and it delivers on its promise.
Priced around $160 and available in four colors, the player works with all cassette types, from Type I to Type IV. It offers two-track stereo playback, a frequency range of 30Hz to 12,500Hz, a 50dB signal-to-noise ratio, and low distortion.
CES 2025 – Key Features of the We Are Rewind Cassette Player
The We Are Rewind cassette player keeps it classic with a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired listening and another jack for recording onto Type I tapes—a feature I loved. The recording quality is impressive, with a 30Hz to 10,000Hz frequency range, 45dB signal-to-noise ratio, and 1% typical distortion. It runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, lasting about 10–12 hours per charge.
While testing the device, I tried tapes from artists like The Weeknd, Linkin Park, and The Saints. The player delivered warm, soft audio quality without the usual hiss, blending the rich depth of vinyl with the crispness of a CD.
Why Cassette Tapes Are Gaining Popularity Again
Pairing the cassette player with headphones creates a uniquely retro listening experience, and I had a great time with it. Users will need to be thoughtful about which tapes they bring along – whether it’s an album or a personal mixtape – but that’s part of the charm.
Now available, the We Are Rewind cassette player blends vintage nostalgia with modern design and functionality. Its sleek style and solid technical performance make it more than just a novelty; it’s a fresh way to enjoy music in an age of instant streaming. And I can’t wait for the upcoming $429 portable boombox, the Blaster, to take it to the next level!
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