Introducing Edith: We Are Rewind's Latest Upgrade to Their Redesigned Portable Audio Player Lineup
The Edith WE-001, a special edition cassette player by We Are Rewind, is a stylish and contemporary revival of the classic portable cassette Walkman. This French startup aims to bring back the charm and nostalgia of cassette tapes in a modern form factor, appealing to both nostalgic music lovers and design enthusiasts.
### Design and Features
The Edith WE-001 is a chunky and heavy device, contrasting with some smaller, more compact cassette players. It features Bluetooth connectivity (version 5.4), allowing wireless streaming to Bluetooth headphones, a key modern upgrade not found on vintage cassette players. The player uses a rechargeable battery with a USB-C charging port, replacing old AA batteries, making it more convenient and eco-friendly.
The design is visually attractive, often coming in colourful options such as pink and seafoam green. Unlike some other players, it does not support recording or Dolby noise reduction, focusing instead on playback and streaming features. The player includes a pencil accessory in the package, a nod to the classic way cassette users would manually rewind tapes.
### Market and Reception
The Edith WE-001 competes with other new cassette players like China’s FiiO CP13, but it has a more design-oriented approach rather than purely audiophile-grade hardware. It is regarded as a "retro cassette walkman" with modern features for today's listeners, though its size and weight make it more of a desktop or casual-use device rather than ultra-portable.
The player is primarily available in Japan officially, but copies exist worldwide through importers and secondhand markets like eBay. Audiophiles can also find mint, shrink-wrapped original stock tapes from the era in thrift shops and charity stores.
### Special Editions and Accessories
The Edith player is part of a collection that includes special editions named Amy, Kurt, Keith, and Serge. A new special edition, named Edith, has been introduced. A belt clip is available for the Edith player, a nod to old-school technology. A new WE-60 blank tape is an option for the Edith player.
Earphone enthusiasts can also opt for the EQ-001 wireless headphones, inspired by 1980s and 1990s on-the-move audio tech.
### Availability and Pricing
The Edith player is priced at £129. It can be purchased from WeAreRewind.com, Rough Trade, Selfridges, FNAC, and Turntable Lab. Subscribers to the We Are Rewind newsletter can stay updated on new releases and promotions. The Edith player can also be followed on Instagram at @We_Are_Rewind.
We Are Rewind, a French company, has played a significant role in the current cassette tape revival, offering a contemporary and stylish take on this retro technology. The Edith WE-001 allows users to enjoy the tactile, tangible experience of cassette listening while incorporating modern features such as Bluetooth connectivity and USB-C charging.
In contrast to other cassette players, the Edith WE-001, designed by We Are Rewind, offers modern upgrades like Bluetooth technology, enabling wireless streaming to smartphones or other Bluetooth headphones. This special edition cassette player also comes with a stylish design, making it a perfect choice for both design enthusiasts and smartphone users who appreciate gadgets.
