Maxell XLI-S (c. 1982–1986)
The Maxell XLI-S is a normal-bias ferric-oxide cassette from the XL-S series. Maxell sold it alongside the high-bias XLII-S. Not much documentation survives for it. Most of what is known comes from Maxell's own period advertising, not from independent reviews.
An ad in HiFI-Stereo (July 1986, p.80) outlined the XL-S technology, covering both the high-bias XLII-S and normal-bias XLI-S positions. Earlier Maxell advertising in High Fidelity (Feb 1982, p.14) made the pitch that a better tape was a cheaper upgrade than a better deck. By 1984 the XL-S line was being marketed as "CD compatible" ferric-oxide tape. A High Fidelity ad (Apr 1984, p.12) claimed lower distortion, better signal-to-noise, and fuller dynamic transients suited to digital recordings. A later High Fidelity ad (Nov 1984, p.20) put numbers on the XLI-S improvements: a 1 dB reduction in AC bias noise and a 1.5 dB increase in maximum output level. It also gave the XLII-S a 2 dB MOL gain. An earlier spread in High Fidelity (Oct 1983, p.21) described the XL I-S and XL II-S as precision-engineered ferric-oxide tapes with smooth linear performance and lower distortion.
What the record shows, then, is a solidly positioned normal-bias cassette rather than an exhaustively documented one. Known details:
- Normal-bias ferric-oxide cassette from Maxell’s XL-S series.
- Advertised as CD-compatible in 1984.
- Claimed improvements: AC bias noise down 1 dB, maximum output level up 1.5 dB on the XLI-S (per a Nov 1984 ad).
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