The $89 Cassette Comeback？ Testing The FiiO CP13
United States of Analog | March 2, 2026
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video reviews the FiiO CP13 portable cassette player ($89), examining whether cassettes are truly making a comeback. The host Bob explores the device as an option for those interested in diving into cassette listening, while providing context about the current state of the cassette market and comparing it to the original Sony Walkman era.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- FiiO CP13 portable cassette player [00:00:09] – $89, comes in multiple colors including transparent and light blue, about 30-40% larger than vintage Walkmans
- Original Sony Walkman [00:01:22] – Cost about $150 originally ($750 in today’s money adjusted for inflation)
- Rewind [00:03:46] – Mentioned as another company making cassette players
- Radio Shack cassette case [00:02:17] – Vintage storage case the host uses
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- Cassettes aren’t truly having a major comeback, but there’s some renewed interest [00:00:47]
- Used cassette prices are climbing in the aftermarket [00:00:53]
- Cassettes were never intended to be audiophile grade – they were the “baby brother of reel-to-reel” [00:01:49]
- The main appeal of cassettes now is nostalgia and fun [00:02:40]
- $89 is a “really good price” for what appears to be “a pretty solid player” though he has some caveats [00:03:52]
Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?
- Warning about record store pricing [00:02:47]: “Beware because I’ve noticed that record store owners are getting really savvy about cassettes now” – prices have increased from $2-3 to $8-12 depending on title
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- [00:01:07] Jokes about knocking on viewers’ doors: “You never know when I might knock on your door. No, I won’t do that, I promise. That would be super creepy.”
- [00:01:53] “Well, I don’t even think the word audiophile existed then, but you know what I mean”
- [00:03:44] Expresses frustration that Sony won’t re-release an affordable Walkman: “Well, I’ll tell you, it’s not gonna happen”
Summary
The video opens with host Bob examining whether cassettes are truly making a comeback, introducing the FiiO CP13 portable cassette player as a potential entry point for interested listeners. He provides historical context by sharing his experience with the original Sony Walkman, noting that its $150 price tag would equal about $750 today, and emphasizing that cassettes were never meant to be high-end audio but rather a convenient, portable format.
Bob explains his current relationship with cassettes, showing off his collection of 30-40 titles that he acquired cheaply (mostly under $3 each) for nostalgia and fun. However, he warns viewers that record store owners have become savvy to the renewed interest, with prices for the same titles now ranging from $8-12. He positions cassettes as primarily a nostalgic format rather than a serious audiophile pursuit.
The focus then shifts to the FiiO CP13 itself, which Bob describes as reasonably priced at $89 and available in multiple colors. He notes that it’s significantly larger than vintage Walkmans due to different manufacturing approaches, but presents it as one of the few viable options available since Sony isn’t likely to re-enter the affordable portable cassette market. While expressing some reservations he hasn’t yet detailed, Bob seems generally positive about the player as a solid option at its price point.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- [00:05:11] FiiO CP13 cassette player ($89)
- Various headphones (unspecified models, under $100)
- Vintage Sony Walkman players (mentioned as comparison)
- USB-C charging
- Mini headphone jack
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- [00:05:05] The CP13 plays tapes reliably and hasn’t damaged any cassettes
- [00:05:08] Sound is stable even with movement
- [00:05:24] Sounds “pretty good” compared to other units
- [00:07:43] Cassettes are not having the same resurgence as vinyl or CDs – “Let’s not call it a comeback”
- [00:08:25] The CP13 “isn’t horrible either”
- [00:05:15] Not suitable for travel or flights due to size
- [00:05:19] Best used for “listening to my small cassette collection on the sofa late at night when no one’s looking”
Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?
- [00:05:36] Different tapes exhibit varying characteristics: some sound veiled, others have more hiss and higher noise floor, some are dull, others brighter
- [00:05:58] Considerable tape hiss is present, though “once the music gets going, you kind of forget about it”
- [00:06:50] Cassettes have “tape hiss, flutter, compression – all the things that audiophiles theoretically hate”
- [00:07:01] “If you’re expecting vinyl warmth or CD clarity, look elsewhere”
- [00:07:05] “But when you’re looking for vibe, this delivers”
Were there any price/value assessments?
- [00:07:51] Emphasizes the $89 price point as reasonable value
- [00:07:57] Vintage NOS Walkmans on eBay cost “hundreds of dollars” if found
- [00:08:32] Mentions using “price appropriate” headphones under $100
Any comparisons to other gear mentioned?
- [00:07:57] Comparison to vintage Sony Walkman players (expensive and rare on eBay)
- [00:07:18] Comparison to vinyl and CD formats in terms of market resurgence
- [00:07:01] Sound quality comparison: cassettes lack “vinyl warmth or CD clarity”
Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?
- [00:05:27] Recommends having “half a handful of different headphones” to adjust sound for individual tapes
- [00:05:45] Suggests “tuning how I listen to this by using different headphones”
- [00:07:12] Warns to “beware of bootlegs” when collecting tapes
- [00:07:14] Specifically mentions Frank Ocean cassettes as likely not legitimate
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- [00:07:01] “If you’re expecting vinyl warmth or CD clarity, look elsewhere. But when you’re looking for vibe, this delivers”
- [00:07:16] “Let’s not call it a comeback”
- [00:06:07] “If that’s something that’s gonna bother you, well, move on to the CD craze”
- [00:07:41] “Let’s not romanticize this. Cassettes were never intended to be high-fidelity kings”
- [00:07:25] “There are a lot of features missing in modern portable cassette players, sadly”
Summary
The host provides a realistic assessment of the FiiO CP13 cassette player, acknowledging both its limitations and appeal. He notes several missing features compared to vintage players, including no tape type selector, no Dolby noise reduction, and a larger form factor that makes it less portable than original Walkmans. Despite these shortcomings, he finds the player reliable and stable, noting it hasn’t damaged any tapes and sounds reasonably good for the $89 price point.
The discussion reveals the inherent characteristics of cassette playback, including tape hiss, flutter, and compression that vary between different tapes. The host recommends using different headphones to optimize the listening experience for various tapes, as some may sound veiled or bright while others exhibit more noise. He emphasizes that cassettes were designed for convenience and portability rather than high-fidelity reproduction, setting appropriate expectations for potential buyers.
Ultimately, the host positions the CP13 as a niche product for a specific use case – casual listening at home rather than portable use. He argues against calling cassettes a true “comeback” like vinyl or CDs have experienced, but acknowledges the format’s nostalgic appeal and “vibe.” For collectors and enthusiasts seeking an affordable way to play cassettes without hunting for expensive vintage equipment, the CP13 represents a reasonable compromise, though buyers should be aware of bootleg tapes in the secondhand market.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
Gear, Products, and Brands Discussed
[00:08:41-00:09:24] Headphones tested:
- Sennheiser 414s (vintage model, mentioned as comparison)
- $40 Koss portable headphones (model number not recalled)
- Sennheiser HD-25s
- Grado SR-80E (described as “slightly older”)
- Meze Audio 105 AER headphones ($550, described as “price inappropriate”)
[00:10:00-00:10:10] Music collection mentioned:
- Dark Side of the Moon, Elvis Costello’s Greatest Hits, Phil Collins, Tom Petty, Talking Heads cassettes, four-tape Yes compilation
[00:12:08] FiiO company praised as “quality company” that makes “great digital players and small audio components”
Host’s Final Verdict or Conclusion
[00:10:13-00:12:15] The host concludes: “this FiiO, tape hiss aside, didn’t sound half bad” when paired with $500 headphones, and states [00:12:13-00:12:17] “I have no problems recommending this to you with a caveat.”
Final Recommendations
[00:11:46-00:12:08] CONSIDER/BUY with conditions: Recommended for those seeking a sub-$100 metal cassette player with good build quality, but [00:12:17-00:12:21] with the caveat that “You’re gonna have to live with the limitations of the format.”
Final Tips, Caveats, and Advice
[00:10:16-00:10:32] Major limitation warning: No selector switches for chrome tape, metal tape, or Dolby noise reduction, meaning “some tapes are gonna sound dull, some are gonna sound veiled, some are gonna sound too bright, some are gonna have too much noise.”
[00:10:35-00:11:46] Suggested improvements if redesigning:
- Easier-to-open lid mechanism
- Smaller size and more rounded edges
- Strap attachment option for better grip
- Auto-stop for forward and rewind modes
- Basic selector switch for tape types/noise reduction
- More recessed volume knob to prevent accidental adjustment
How the Video Wrapped Up
[00:12:23-00:12:47] Standard YouTube outro directing viewers to the next suggested video, followed by channel sign-off thanking viewers for watching “United States of Analog” and encouraging them to “have fun reliving the golden age of cassettes.”
Memorable Closing Quotes
[00:12:01-00:12:04] “one of the cool things about this machine is that it’s all analog. And we love that here on this channel.”
[00:12:42-00:12:47] “Happy listening. I hope you have fun reliving the golden age of cassettes.”
Summary
In this final portion, the host conducted extensive headphone testing with the FiiO CP13, comparing performance across different price points from $40 Koss portables to $550 Meze Audio headphones. The Grado SR-80E performed best among the mid-range options, while the expensive Meze headphones truly showcased the player’s potential, delivering improved bass, separation, and clarity that made the FiiO “didn’t sound half bad” despite persistent tape hiss.
The host then provided constructive criticism for potential improvements, highlighting practical design issues like the difficult-to-open suction-cup-like lid, lack of grip, missing auto-stop functionality, and most importantly, the absence of any tape type or noise reduction selector switches. These limitations mean users must accept that different tapes will have varying sound quality without any ability to optimize playback.
Despite these limitations, the host issued a qualified recommendation for the FiiO CP13, positioning it as essentially the only viable option for those seeking a sub-$100 portable metal cassette player. He emphasized that FiiO’s reputation as a quality audio company supports this recommendation, but stressed that buyers must accept both the format’s inherent limitations and this particular player’s simplified feature set. The video concluded with an enthusiastic endorsement of the analog experience and nostalgia for “the golden age of cassettes.”
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
