Collection: Type II (High Bias)
IEC Type II tapes are intended for recording using high (150% of normal) bias and replay with the 70 μs time constant. All generations of Type II reference tapes, including the 1971 DIN reference that pre-dated the IEC standard, were manufactured by BASF.
Type II has been historically known as 'chromium dioxide tape' or simply 'chrome tape', but in reality most Type II cassette tapes do not contain chromium.
The "pseudo-chromes" (including almost all Type IIs made by the Big Three Japanese makers — Maxell, Sony and TDK) are actually ferricobalt formulations optimized for Type II recording and playback settings.
A true chrome tape may have a distinctive 'old crayon' smell, more specifically, any oil or wax chalks that have chrome dioxide pigments in them like chrome yellow, which is missing in "pseudo-chromes".
Both kinds of Type II tapes have, on average, lower high-frequency MOL and SOL, and higher signal-to-noise ratio than quality Type I tapes.
This is caused by the midrange and treble pre-emphasis applied during recording to match the 70 μs equalization at playback.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations
-
TDK SA-X (1982-1985 US-JP)
Regular price From $23.14 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Maxell XLII (1988-1989 US)
Regular price From $16.60 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Maxell XLII (1992-1996 US)
Regular price From $13.90 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
TDK SR-X (1990-1991 JP)
Regular price From $18.73 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Sony UX (1990-1992 US)
Regular price From $14.04 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Sony CD-IT (1992-1994 US)
Regular price From $9.51 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
TDK Professional SM (1989 US)
Regular price From $8.26 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
BASF Chrome Super II (1991-1993) Cassette Tape
Regular price From $16.92 USDRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
Maxell UDS-II Studio (1984 US)
Regular price $22.41 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Panasonic PX II (1994 JP)
Regular price From $16.80 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
TDK SA-X (1985-1987 US)
Regular price $26.59 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Triad CD-II (1988 US)
Regular price $53.49 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
On Sale!
TDK SA (1985-1987 US)
Regular price $18.68 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$20.87 USDSale price $18.68 USDOn Sale! -
That's VX-A Vanexa (1993-1995 EU)
Regular price $26.40 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
TDK SA Limited Edition (1988 JP)
Regular price From $42.08 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Supertape M II (1988-1994 US)
Regular price $28.40 USDRegular priceUnit price / per