Maxell XLII & XLII-S: The Gold Standard of High Bias (Type II)

The Maxell XLII series is the most recognized High Bias (Type II) cassette in history, defined by its proprietary Epitaxial / Black Magnetite magnetic particle technology. While the standard XLII became the industry benchmark for home recording, the premium double coated XLII-S pushed the boundaries of the medium to achieve professional-grade dynamic range.

Technical Breakdown: XLII vs. XLII-S

• Maxell XLII: Utilizes cobalt-adsorbed gamma ferric oxide. It is characterized by a "warm" mid-range and exceptional reliability. It is one of the most "deck-friendly" tape ever made, requiring minimal calibration on most Japanese 3-head decks. It was formulated to closely match its rival, the TDK SA used by Nakamichi and other brands as a calibration reference.

• Maxell XLII-S: The "S" signifies a superior dual-layer coating. By incorporating two layers of Black Magnetite, Maxell increased the packing density of the magnetic particles, resulting in a +2.0dB higher output level and a significantly lower noise floor compared to the standard XLII.

Comparison Between Maxell XLII and Maxell XLII-S

Explore our stock of sealed New Old Stock (NOS), B Stock, and C stock Maxell XLII 46, 60, 90, and 100-minute tapes.

Maxell XLII Spec:

• Tape Type: Type II (High Bias)
• Equalization: 70µs
• Formulation: Cobalt-Doped Ferric Oxide (Epitaxial)
• Best For: Hi-Fi Mixtapes, Multitrack Recording, Archival Audio.
• Common Lengths: 46 min, 60 min, 90 min, 100 min, 110 min.

Why Choose Maxell Epitaxial Technology

The longevity of the Maxell XLII series is due to its high coercivity and retentivity specs, ensuring that recordings made in the 1980s and 1990s retain their high-frequency response today. Unlike cheaper Type II tapes that suffer from "binder shed," the Maxell XLII housing features a high-precision mechanism that minimizes wow and flutter, even after decades of storage.

Explore more Type II cassettes