We are rewind GB-001 cassette player is modern boombox with retro appeal

A boombox was as essential to my music growing up as the Walkman, and then the iPod later. If you’re an ’80s kid, you have seen the tapes roll up into digital formats over the decades. But retro still holds its charm—even if it only appeals to a select few. Count me in this time! We are rewind GB-001 has really been a winner for me. The Paris-based company’s modern take on the classic boombox not only plays and records cassettes but also comes with contemporary features like a rechargeable battery, Bluetooth, wireless headphone compatibility, and a 3.5 mm audio jack; I’m sure you’re flattered as well.

Flaunting a retro look with new tech built in, GB-001 is the company’s fresh entrant in its story of reviving the musical era (starting with WE-001 portable player) of the past with a modern blend for the Gen-Z populace. The revival of cassette players may not be on the writing at this point, but given the way vinyl record sales have bloated in the last few years, and how the new turntables and modernized record players are showering upon us every other day; I’m hopeful of seeing more of GB-001-esque make the debut.

Designer: We are rewind

Before you start building up a cassette collection on my word, let’s take a detailed look at the facets of this Boombox revival and then decide. The design, of course, is very reminiscent of the portable stereos of the ‘80s with the big speaker grills on the façade, a cassette slot in the middle with physical buttons right below, and the chunky but foldable metal carrying handle that completes its retro vibe.

A complementing assembly of analog and digital, We are rewind GB-001, is very muted and not for the flashy takers. It is for the modern society to embrace the retro, but not to align so much with the glitzy. The portable music player has a nice black matte finish, and some highlights of silver, creating a nice monochromatic appeal. If the color and the looks of the boombox appeal to you, its apparent ability to play and record cassettes will leave you floored. The cassette deck – which allows tape recording using external microphone(s) – resides in the center of the unit, comprising an adjustable motor with internal speed regulation for consistent and precise playback. Inherent noise reduction emulates Dolby B and can play music without loss in sound quality.

If you’re short on tapes, this thing can function very well as a Bluetooth speaker to play your fine digital collection. GB-001 has four speakers packed in the boombox-style rectangular body that can blast 104 watts of total output. Compatible with Bluetooth 5.4, the speaker supports wireless headphones and includes a 3.5 mm jack onboard for connecting it to a turntable or some other audio source of your choosing. What would really stand out in appearance for the newer generation are a pair of backlit VU meters that are functional and have a soft, warm glow. All of this package is powered by a 3,000mAh battery that assures up to 10 hours of playback on tape and speaker, with headphones this duration easily doubles. We are rewind is going to start delivering the GB-001 starting this summer for €449 (roughly $500).

The post We are rewind GB-001 cassette player is modern boombox with retro appeal first appeared on Yanko Design.