Comparison of Akai SX & Maxell XL-I

[Flyquail56]

Hey Gang,

I held off reading Matt’s comments on the Akai tapes until after writing this, so as to hopefully avoid any bias (pun intended). So, here’s my very subjective review with apologies in advance for any repetitions or contradictions!

I compared the Akai SX with recently acquired Maxell XL-I, 1992 vintage; good but not the best of the XL-I’s.

Equipment used: Yamaha KX-530 2-head deck; sources: Linn LP-12/Shure V-15III-G into modified Dynaco PAS phono stage for LP, and a Shure 16-bit CD player for digital.

Music: Selections from: Kurt Weill/Suite from the Threepenny Opera LP, Dave Brubeck/Time Out LP, Cassandra Wilson/New Moon Daughter CD, James Newton Howard/Suite from One Fine Day (movie soundtrack) CD.

In the past, I have been using the Akai SX to record tapes for the car, so this critical listening session revealed at lest one surprise: for in-home listening, with Dolby off, neither of these tapes really cuts the mustard with the type of music I used today. Noise levels were too obtrusive. Rock and pop music might be a different story. Further impressions:

Dolby off: Maxell XL-I: slightly veiled, less tape hiss, slight treble boost
Dolby off: Akai SX: also slightly veiled, more tape hiss, slightly elevated bass
Dolby B on: Maxell XL-I: less veiled, same treble boost
Dolby B on: Akai SX: also less veiled, subjectively flat freq. response

Also, with Dolby B used, both tapes exhibited some loss of space or “air” around instruments, which I expected, and some tape noise is still noticeable with both tapes, thought the high-frequency component is of course attenuated. These impressions were pretty consistent with all the selections I recorded, with the exception of the slightly elevated bass response with the Akai SX. On some cuts I didn’t really notice it.

On balance, I would say that both tapes perform well if you don’t mind using noise reduction. Choosing between the two is almost a toss-up. Both are somewhat noisy. The Maxell has a rising high end which you may like, even though it's not necessarily as accurate.

Respectfully submitted by your humble and obedient tapehead :D,
Mike

[NAD613]

Thanks for the review. I guess I never considered how the Akai cassettes sounded without NR. Each time I've used them I've used Dolby NR.

[Flyquail56]

Thanks for the review. I guess I never considered how the Akai cassettes sounded without NR. Each time I've used them I've used Dolby NR.

Next weekend I'm hoping to compare the GX tape with an older Maxell XL-II, but based on Matt's observations, I'm not too optimistic about hiss levels on the GX without Dolby NR either. I may go back to recording everything with Dolby NR. Even though the Dolby has some slight adverse effects on the recording, I guess it's *pick your poison* sometimes...

[Marc Hugo]

Hi Mike,

That was very interesting. The thing with tape of different kinds, has always been to my mind, undersized as it is, to use the various techniques at one's disposal on a recorder, to make it as good to your ears as possible.

That indeed means any of the Dolbys, HxPro (some units it can be switched off), dbx if you have it, and various calibration options - bias setting and the like. Then of course, there are all the different tapes to choose from.

Although I was uncharitable about the TDK B tape the other day, I can make it sound pretty good if I fiddle a bit. It won't make it a silk purse, but it'll seem like decent linen from a distance with a touch of velvet if you hold it up to a certain light.

So, I commend your finding!! I know it used to be quite fashionable for lack of a better word, to eshew noise reduction as a rule - I think this arose out of the tape traders scene combined with the fact that in many decks, NR was just not very sympathetically set up. Not to mention tapeheads such as ourselves who move a tape from deck to deck...

But I think, present company included, the majority of the decks owned here are pretty good ones - so a bit of NR when needed can add a lot of value.

Cheers - Marc

[Flyquail56]

Hi Marc,

Thanks for your typically well-considered comments. I can't add anything worthwhile to your comments about using Dolby NR. It's too bad that there is a small sonic penalty in it's use.

At the risk of going way off topic, your posts are also very entertaining to read. Probably for good reason, your writing sounds more English than American, and your remark in another post about _showing a clean pair of heels_ gave me a laugh. It reminded me of one of my favorite automotive columnists of the 70s and 80s, who would often send me reaching for the dictionary. The use of the word alacrity is still what first comes to mind when I recall the great L J K Setright.

Best regards,
Mike

[Mr. Lin]

Marc has a way with words.

[Marc Hugo]

Hi Greettat..

That is true - if I recall from "Graffiti" - either the first or the second book, "Friends come and go, enemies accumulate."

Thanks for the kind words Mike and Mr Lin!!

I'll get round to that Goldstar assessment today - nearly done.

Have a great Sunday all - Marc

[gonzo]

What is the background hiss on unused tapes due to? Would using a bulk eraser change the level of this background hiss, or does it have something to due with the tape itself? Just curious, and never really understood the reason for it. Thanks Norm

[Flyquail56]

What is the background hiss on unused tapes due to? Would using a bulk eraser change the level of this background hiss, or does it have something to due with the tape itself? Just curious, and never really understood the reason for it. Thanks Norm

The simple answer is that the level of background hiss is due to the tape type, and also the quality of the tape. A bulk eraser will not make any significant improvement. In general, type II tapes have less background noise than type I because they can be recorded with more high-frequency emphasis without distorting. On playback, the highs are correspondingly de-emphasized for flat frequency response, which at the same time reduces the tape hiss that you hear.

Best regards,
Mike