Typical audio Compact Cassette.Although cassette-shells can vary widely in external appearance (the lower two are more recent in style), they are all internally similar.Notches on the top surface of the audio cassette indicate its type.  The top cassette, with only write protect notches (here covered by write protect tabs), is a Type I.  The next cassette down, with additional notches adjacent to the write protect notch, is a Type II.  The bottom two cassettes, featuring the Type II notches plus an additional pair in the middle of the cassette are type IV (metal); note the removal of the write-protect plastic tabs on the second of these.

Discover great deals on the many top brand items available only on eBay!


This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

Other Brands

The compact audio cassette medium for audio storage was introduced by Philips in 1963 under the name Compact Cassette. more...

HomeHome
Accessories & CablesAccessories & Cables
AmplifiersAmplifiers
CD Players & RecordersCD Players & Recorders
Cassette DecksCassette Decks
Dual CassetteDual Cassette
Single CassetteSingle Cassette
JVCJVC
KenwoodKenwood
NakamichiNakamichi
Other BrandsOther Brands
PioneerPioneer
SonySony
TeacTeac
TechnicsTechnics
CrossoversCrossovers
DVD Players & Recorders DVD Players & Recorders
Digital Music...Digital Music...
Digital Video Recorders, PVRDigital Video Recorders, PVR
EqualizersEqualizers
Headphones, HeadsetsHeadphones, Headsets
Home Audio MiscHome Audio Misc
Home Theater ProjectorsHome Theater Projectors
Home Theater in a Box Home Theater in a Box
KaraokeKaraoke
MiniDisc PlayersMiniDisc Players
OtherOther
PreamplifiersPreamplifiers
ProcessorsProcessors
RadiosRadios
ReceiversReceivers
Remote ControlsRemote Controls
Satellite Radio Satellite Radio
Satellite, Cable TVSatellite, Cable TV
Shelf, Compact SystemsShelf, Compact Systems
Speakers & SubwoofersSpeakers & Subwoofers
Televisions TVTelevisions TV
Tuners, AM/FMTuners, AM/FM
TurntablesTurntables
VCRsVCRs
Vintage ElectronicsVintage Electronics
Wholesale LotsWholesale Lots

Although there were other magnetic tape cartridge systems at the time, the Compact Cassette became dominant as a result of Philips' decision (in the face of pressure from Sony) to license the format free of charge. It went on to become a popular (and re-recordable) alternative to the vinyl record deck during the 1970s. During the 1980s, its popularity grew further as a result of the Sony Walkman.

Although its use in the West has declined as a result of more advanced technologies, it remains widespread, and is still the dominant medium for listening to music in many third world countries.

In essence, the audio cassette is simply a cassette-based (and smaller) version of the older reel-to-reel tape format. It consists of two miniature reels, between which an oxide-coated plastic tape, or magnetic tape, is passed and wound. These reels (along with some other mechanical parts) are held inside a protective plastic shell.

Four single audio tracks are available on the tape. These are paired to produce two stereophonic tracks – one played when the cassette is inserted with its 'A' side facing up, and the other when it is turned over (with the 'B' side up), thus mimicking gramophone records.

The mass production of compact audio cassettes began in 1965 in Hanover, Germany, as did commercial sales of prerecorded music cassettes, known as musicassettes or MC for short. The system had been initially designed for dictation and portable use, thus the audio quality of early recorders was not well suited for music. Some early models also had unreliable mechanical design. As time went on, various improvements (in particular, the introduction of Dolby noise reduction) resulted in the format being taken seriously for musical use.

Features of the cassette

The cassette was a great step forward in convenience from reel-to-reel audio tape recording, though because of the limitations of the cassette's size and speed, it initially compared poorly in quality. Unlike the open reel format, the two stereo tracks lie adjacent to each other rather than a 1/3 and 2/4 arrangement. This permitted monaural cassette players to play stereo recordings "summed" as mono tracks and permitted stereo players to play mono recordings through both speakers. The tape is 3.18 mm wide (nominally 18 inch), with each stereo track being 0.79 mm wide (132 inch) and moves at 4.76 cm/s (178 inches/sec) from left to right. For comparison, the typical open reel format in consumer use was ¼ inch (6.35 mm) wide, each stereo track being 116 inch (1.59 mm) wide, and running at either 3¾ or 7½ inches/sec (9.5 or 19 cm/s).

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

Vintage Kyocera D-811 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Player Japan Tested RareVintage Kyocera D-811 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Player Japan Tested Rare $319.95 Pyle Dual Stereo Cassette Deck w/Tape Usb to Mp3 ConverterPyle Dual Stereo Cassette Deck w/Tape Usb to Mp3 Converter $139.00
Ford 97 Radio Cassette Tape Deck Player Mustang F150 Econoline Contour RangerFord 97 Radio Cassette Tape Deck Player Mustang F150 Econoline Contour Ranger $195.00 Pyle Pt649D.5 Dual Stereo Cassette Deck Player System Music & Audio RecordingPyle Pt649D.5 Dual Stereo Cassette Deck Player System Music & Audio Recording $132.99
New ListingTeac Ad-850-Se Cassette Deck & Cd Player with Microphone Input & DigitalNew ListingTeac Ad-850-Se Cassette Deck & Cd Player with Microphone Input & Digital $509.97 Realistic Sct-72 Vintage High Speed Dubbing Stereo Cassette Dual Tape DeckRealistic Sct-72 Vintage High Speed Dubbing Stereo Cassette Dual Tape Deck $44.99
Teac Ad-850-Se Cassette Deck Cd player Usb Recording & Playing Dubbing SilverTeac Ad-850-Se Cassette Deck Cd player Usb Recording & Playing Dubbing Silver $499.99 1970s Vintage Teac A-103 Stereo Cassette Deck player recorder Working See Video1970s Vintage Teac A-103 Stereo Cassette Deck player recorder Working See Video $229.99
Realistic Sct-11 Stereo Cassette Deck Model 14-849 Powers OnRealistic Sct-11 Stereo Cassette Deck Model 14-849 Powers On $59.99 New ListingNad 616 Dual Head Reverse Play/Record Cassette Deck Tested Plays GreatNew ListingNad 616 Dual Head Reverse Play/Record Cassette Deck Tested Plays Great $199.98
Vintage Realistic Sct-20 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck - Made In Japan - TestedVintage Realistic Sct-20 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck - Made In Japan - Tested $83.41 Panasonic Rs-608 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Player bb1Panasonic Rs-608 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Player bb1 $69.69
Kyocera D-611 Cassette Tape Deck Tested WorkingKyocera D-611 Cassette Tape Deck Tested Working $241.00 New ListingPlus Deck 2C Pc Cassette Deck Converter Tape Player For Computer Desktop Read….New ListingPlus Deck 2C Pc Cassette Deck Converter Tape Player For Computer Desktop Read…. $98.00
Akai Gx-9 W/Oem Box/Manual F3-Head Closed Loop Dual Capstan Stereo Cassette DeckAkai Gx-9 W/Oem Box/Manual F3-Head Closed Loop Dual Capstan Stereo Cassette Deck $549.00 Clear Tech Clear Prison Radio Cassette Player Tape Deck Walkman w/ ear budsClear Tech Clear Prison Radio Cassette Player Tape Deck Walkman w/ ear buds $39.99
Vintage Technics M205 Cassette Tape Deck Plays Tapes Other Functions UntestedVintage Technics M205 Cassette Tape Deck Plays Tapes Other Functions Untested $89.98 New ListingVintage Nakamichi Cr-1A 2 Head Cassette Deck Needs BeltNew ListingVintage Nakamichi Cr-1A 2 Head Cassette Deck Needs Belt $118.00
Luxman Auto Reverse Stereo Cassette Tape Deck K-105, Tested, Made In JapanLuxman Auto Reverse Stereo Cassette Tape Deck K-105, Tested, Made In Japan $75.00 Speed calibration test tape for cassette deck or walkman or boombox - 3000 HzSpeed calibration test tape for cassette deck or walkman or boombox - 3000 Hz $12.40
Teac Compact Cassette Deck & Teac Radio Tuner (R-H500, T-H500)Teac Compact Cassette Deck & Teac Radio Tuner (R-H500, T-H500) $300.00 vela Dk 9000vela Dk 9000 $1,350.00
🔥【Pro Refurb】Tascam 112 Pro Cassette Deck w Led Upgrade! Pitch,Dolby+💥Guaranty🔥【Pro Refurb】Tascam 112 Pro Cassette Deck w Led Upgrade! Pitch,Dolby+💥Guaranty $439.15 Nakamichi Cr-7A 3Head Cassette Recorder (super clean)Nakamichi Cr-7A 3Head Cassette Recorder (super clean) $3,000.00
Pioneer Car Tape Deck Kx-E40 (bk) Eq-E01 (bk)Kpx Ke Kep Kex gm-120 cd-5 Ts-167Pioneer Car Tape Deck Kx-E40 (bk) Eq-E01 (bk)Kpx Ke Kep Kex gm-120 cd-5 Ts-167 $139.01 New ListingTeac V-5000 High End 3-Head Dual Capstan Cassette DeckNew ListingTeac V-5000 High End 3-Head Dual Capstan Cassette Deck $449.99
Panasonic Sv-3700 Dat Digital Audio Cassette Tape Deck W/Rack Mount 1000 HoursPanasonic Sv-3700 Dat Digital Audio Cassette Tape Deck W/Rack Mount 1000 Hours $349.99 Vintage Mcs 3543 J.C. Penny Cassette Deck Plays Tapes Other Functions UntestedVintage Mcs 3543 J.C. Penny Cassette Deck Plays Tapes Other Functions Untested $75.99
Realistic Sct-90 Stereo Cassette Deck with High Speed Dubbing - New BeltsRealistic Sct-90 Stereo Cassette Deck with High Speed Dubbing - New Belts $15.00 Vintage Bic T-2 Two Speed Stereo Single Deck Cassette Player & RecorderVintage Bic T-2 Two Speed Stereo Single Deck Cassette Player & Recorder $74.99
Yamaha Kx-R470 Natural Sound Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Auto Reverse No RemoteYamaha Kx-R470 Natural Sound Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Auto Reverse No Remote $195.87 Cleartech U0-Cas-Clr Prison Radio Cassette Player Tape Deck - Tested WorksCleartech U0-Cas-Clr Prison Radio Cassette Player Tape Deck - Tested Works $19.20
Teac Double Cassette Deck W-1200 Silver 100V High Quality Sound Japan NewTeac Double Cassette Deck W-1200 Silver 100V High Quality Sound Japan New $446.76 Denon Drs-640 Single Cassette Deck Tested WorkingDenon Drs-640 Single Cassette Deck Tested Working $299.01
🔥【Pro Refurb】Tascam 133 2-Spd/3-Ch Syncaset Cassette Deck! Dolby,Cue💥Guaranty🔥【Pro Refurb】Tascam 133 2-Spd/3-Ch Syncaset Cassette Deck! Dolby,Cue💥Guaranty $476.96 Pyle Portable Wireless Bluetooth Cassette Player with Auto-Reverse -Grey/BluePyle Portable Wireless Bluetooth Cassette Player with Auto-Reverse -Grey/Blue $39.19
Yamaha Kx-W321 Natural Sound Dolby Dual Cassette Deck, Tested WorkingYamaha Kx-W321 Natural Sound Dolby Dual Cassette Deck, Tested Working $74.99 New ListingTandberg Tcd-300 - Vintage Cassette Deck Recorder Powers On, No PlayNew ListingTandberg Tcd-300 - Vintage Cassette Deck Recorder Powers On, No Play $120.00
Hip Hop cassette skateboard deck square nose new “the Cassette Deck”Hip Hop cassette skateboard deck square nose new “the Cassette Deck” $200.00 Denon Dr-70 Drm-800 3-Head Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Japanese VersionDenon Dr-70 Drm-800 3-Head Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Japanese Version $439.99
Jvc Kd-10 2-head Vintage Cassette Deck Reconditioned Works Great - See VideoJvc Kd-10 2-head Vintage Cassette Deck Reconditioned Works Great - See Video $199.99 Dual C 844 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Original Owner Good Working ConditionDual C 844 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Original Owner Good Working Condition $1,100.00
🥇81-83 Datsun Nissan 280Zx Hitachi Stereo Cassette Deck Player Csd-6231Z Oem🥇81-83 Datsun Nissan 280Zx Hitachi Stereo Cassette Deck Player Csd-6231Z Oem $278.49 Set of 3x Test/Calibration audio tapes for mid/high class cassette equipmentSet of 3x Test/Calibration audio tapes for mid/high class cassette equipment $89.90
Excellent! Vintage Teac 450 Cassette Deck - Works Great !Excellent! Vintage Teac 450 Cassette Deck - Works Great ! $329.99 Sanyo Architect Series Stereo Double Cassette Deck Rd W V14Sanyo Architect Series Stereo Double Cassette Deck Rd W V14 $49.00
🔥【Pro Refurb】Tascam 112B Pro Cassette Deck w Xlr! Pitch,Led Upgrade💥Guaranty🔥【Pro Refurb】Tascam 112B Pro Cassette Deck w Xlr! Pitch,Led Upgrade💥Guaranty $494.96 🔥【Pro Refurb】Optonica Rt-6506 Stereo Cassette Deck!~Xstr/Led Upgrades💥Guaranty🔥【Pro Refurb】Optonica Rt-6506 Stereo Cassette Deck!~Xstr/Led Upgrades💥Guaranty $395.96
Vintage 1978 Bic T-3 3 Head 2 Speed Stereo Cassette Deck -Serviced-Works Great!Vintage 1978 Bic T-3 3 Head 2 Speed Stereo Cassette Deck -Serviced-Works Great! $305.00 Sony Tc-S1 Automatic Reverse Cassette DeckSony Tc-S1 Automatic Reverse Cassette Deck $179.99
Pyle Dual Stereo Cassette Deck Player System & Audio Recording with UsbPyle Dual Stereo Cassette Deck Player System & Audio Recording with Usb $146.29 New ListingMarantz Superscope C-190 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Player RecorderNew ListingMarantz Superscope C-190 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Player Recorder $37.95
Teac W-505R Dual Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Double Player Recorder Plays Read DesTeac W-505R Dual Stereo Cassette Tape Deck Double Player Recorder Plays Read Des $21.98 Teac W-1200 - Double Cassette Deck - BlackTeac W-1200 - Double Cassette Deck - Black $549.99
New ListingTeac W-1200 Dual Cassette Player Recorder with Pitch Control Mic Input & UsbNew ListingTeac W-1200 Dual Cassette Player Recorder with Pitch Control Mic Input & Usb $466.97 Sony Tc-K71, 3 head stereo cassette deck, serviced.Sony Tc-K71, 3 head stereo cassette deck, serviced. $275.00
Vintage Toshiba Stereo Cassette Deck Pc-X60 w/ Vu Meters - New Belts + Nip TapesVintage Toshiba Stereo Cassette Deck Pc-X60 w/ Vu Meters - New Belts + Nip Tapes $159.99 Denon Dr-M2 Stereo 3 Head Cassette Deck Direct Drive - Used Work !Denon Dr-M2 Stereo 3 Head Cassette Deck Direct Drive - Used Work ! $169.99
Bic T-3 Cassette Deck Audiophile Stereo 2-Speed Serviced + 30-Day GuaranteedBic T-3 Cassette Deck Audiophile Stereo 2-Speed Serviced + 30-Day Guaranteed $690.00 Vintage Sharp Rt-32 Stereo Cassette Deck Tape Player Recorder *New Old StockVintage Sharp Rt-32 Stereo Cassette Deck Tape Player Recorder *New Old Stock $279.00
Click to see more Other Brands items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 04/01/25 7:20pm.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay