We Are Rewind Curtis Blaster REVIEW
Perhaps 2025’s most requested item for me to test has arrived just in the nick of time, it’s the Curtis Blaster/Boombox from We Are Rewind.
https://youtu.be/U3aroewJiYE
I wasn’t expecting this to arrive this week. I also imagined that when it did arrive I’d have a couple of weeks to test it before they hit the shops. However I’ve already noticed online adverts for this popping up and email requests for me to review it have ramped up as a result.
I can see that I'll need this video to go public on Saturday while it’s still relevant. I normally like to give more of an exclusive window to Patreon viewers, but the timing on this one is awkward. It’ll still be ad-free until Saturday though.
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I’m going to be fulfilling some offline obligations all next week so there’s going to be a bit of a gap before I can properly start on something new. If I can find the time I’ll try my best to get something put together just for Patreon, but there’s a good chance that this might end up being the other side of Christmas now, after taking a look at the calendar.
Even if I don't get a new video done, I'll have time to post a message on here before Christmas Day, so we'll kick the Christmas Platitudes Can down the road for now.
So have a good non unique calendar period until then. Take care.
Patreon Name Credits delay
Normally I’d have updated the end name credits pages by now, but there’s a glitch at Patreon’s end in exporting the data I need. I’ll update things as soon as I’m able, apologies for the delay.
Comments (60)
If we don't hear from you before Xmas - Happy Holidays to you, the missus, and Bees Knees. 🧑🏼🎄
I aim to put a little something together for everyone in the next two days, so it should sneak in under the wire, but regardless I hope you have a chilled out Christmas break too.
So I guess that if I wanted a decent quality modern cassette deck purely for tape playback...it’s this for $600? Are there no less expensive options other than the used market?
If you need a component deck rather than a portable I think the Teac models perform to an acceptable, if still somewhat basic, standard.
Price wise, hmmm, that’s a big chunk of cash (for me anyway), but… I like it. Simplified in many ways to what boomboxes used to look like, but has a modern classy look to it. Not keen on the logo, as I don’t like modern day logos (I’m a designer and prefer details and intricacies), but that’s just a personal thing and has no relevance to the product. I do really like it. In fact, because it’s just a tape player (and I mean that in a positive way), I respect the companies balls 😂 Cheers Matt Lee
I expected you to bring out a Hitachi TRK 8080E when you went for the 'this reminds me of' Boombox. I agree that it needs at least an FM Radio.
I’ve noticed a lot of my old chrome tapes now sound really bad. They didn’t use too. I think age breaks the formula of these tapes down. Although this new “blaster” sounded pretty good, I much prefer the design of the b&o ! Horses for courses.
WWTT - What Would Techmoan Think?
I am happy it turned out to be a pretty good quality device and likely exceeded most expectations. I am also pretty sure that companies who design these kind of retro tech devices are aware of Techmoan. Though I have my doubts regarding that claim. If they really cared that much why wouldn't they ask for input upfront?
*thinks* "Must ask about that nice looking mesh cover for the Sony MP3 Walkman." Oh. It's just the reflection of the boombox's speaker grille.
I now wish that I understood the commenters reference to 'Look Around You' - other than it being a TV series. I know it's an inside joke that goes well over my head. 😃
2000s comedy show, the first series based on 1970s schools programmes (most notably 'Experiment'), the second series more like long-running science programme 'Tomorrow's World'. Thanks Grace. Thrace. https://youtu.be/FBaVwwuErmU?si=lcqeXAna-0xK1P6r
Very nicely balanced and contextualised review. Can't help thinking the empty section in the rear could be very easily converted or used for bolt-ons in future iterations.
I am happy without radio as most could be streamed from your phone. CD however would make it perfect for my usage.
Surprisingly not bad - thanks for another great video. What an honour - they built it with "what would Techmoan do". Amazing. Speaking of Dolby NR - I actually didn't like it that much back in the day - I preferred keeping it off. Weird I know. Maybe it was the Classical music I preferred. 🤷
I’m with you on that.
This could be your most viewed video
I think it’ll be more niche than that.
Wow, I'm quite impressed with this device! Already the first cassette playback sounded good, and even the recording on Type I tape is sounding really well! I'm wondering though if the tape type switch is for playback only? (120 vs 70 µs equalisation, a slight cut-off at the high end for Type II and Type IV tape) And hey, it has a completely yellow record button 😉
Lacking a CD and radio, I think they should have looked at including USB or SD Card sockets to allow digital file playback.
I always find the experience of playing music from a memory card/stick to be a really unpleasant and clunky. Beyond demonstrating it in videos it’s something I’ve never returned to in my own time voluntarily.
Great review. I really appreciate the comparison with the Bang & Olufsen. It's easy to forget that even more costly and highly regarded boomboxes from the 80s really didn't sound that good.
If I was looking for something like this, I'd buy this one. It's refreshing to hear actual bass from a boombox.
Again, my new favourite episode of all time from you. Thanks.
I’m surprised at that, I thought it might be a bit too ‘on the nose’.
At my previous job we had a Teufel Boomster device, which is in some ways a pretty similar device to this one. That's also a premium portable Bluetooth speaker in a 'boombox-like' form factor. The Boomster has radio (FM + DAB, pretty bad reception) and Bluetooth, this We Are Rewind has cassette and Bluetooth. For the Teufel I thought: it's somewhat decent, would be cool if it had a cassette mechanism or CD player ;-) this Curtis device is I think a better speaker than the Boomster and has an awesome cassette mechanism as well! Obviously there is a market for premium Bluetooth speakers, there are multiple options by JBL, Bose, Sony in this price range that are pretty comparable to the Curtis. Then the Curtis also apparently has the 'best' cassette mechanism in recent times added on top of that. I really commend them for this, I hope people like the looks of this device, and will buy it, enabling We Are Rewind to come out with more similar products in the future, including their new advanced cassette technology
I have a JBL “boombox” that is Bluetooth/WiFi only. (Well, it does have an AUX port.) So it’s really just a glorified Bluetooth speaker, but it is true stereo, and it sounds better than my JVC and Sony boomboxes from back in the day, at least from what I remember.
Excellent review, as always, Mat. It is refreshing to see an audio device like this that focuses on quality rather than gimmicks and flashing lights, and I wish them well. We have to assume that they've done their market research thoroughly, as a cassette-only boombox does seem (to me) to be a niche within a niche. As you pointed out, such a high-quality device with CD, radio and/or tape would have wider appeal.
I worked out if you adjust for inflation, the equivalent price in 1985 was around £120. That's the same price as this Philips (4) from the 1984/1985 Argos catalogue: https://archive.org/details/argos-autumn-winter-1984-1985/page/224/mode/2up It's got more features, but I'm guessing the "We are rewind" sounds better.
Yes but there’s also no chance of winning a Vauxhall Nova with this.
I think someone might have asked this, but did you try disabling the iOS Headphone Safety "reduce loud audio"? Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety.
The Bluetooth output was set as Device Type - Speaker.
I just realized that Wheelie Yellow looks a lot like Look Mum No Computer. In fact, I've never seen them in the same room at the same time.... hmm.
Such a great review, thank you. I had one preordered, but cancelled as I wasn't ready to pay another £100 in customs once it arrived from France. Very happy to see that Richer Sounds will be selling these in the UK. I think it really needs a radio, but I understand that new radios sold in Europe need to adhere to certain requirements (possibly DAB+), and then they'd need another model for outside of Europe, so was probably easier to omit a radio all together.
I like it quite a bit, but since I own 0 cassettes, I'd be much more interested in a CD version. It does sound really nice.
Holy shit that's a ton of money. Thank goodness I, like you, have enough boomboxes and cassette decks. I even have the new Teac deck I got for a steal. Again. Thank God or I'd buy this instantly. I don't like the looks or the lack of radio but those VU meters...the recording levels...hnng. Excellent seeming product.
While I generally prefer minimalist/clean aesthetics, I think this boombox (though I'm guessing "GB" in the model name stand for "ghetto blaster") may have gone too far - it looks like a scaled-up icon rather than a real device. I do wonder, though, if that's because of the lack of a radio, so its features look empty rather than simply uncluttered. Still, I appreciate the fit and finish of it - this is clearly something that wasn't simply flung together, and its sound quality and performance (at least on cassette playback) is very pleasing, and I'm sure a nice change for you after so many dreary examples. As to your phone providing quieter Bluetooth playback than the Walkman: is it possible the device type isn't correctly set for this? I expect it's more likely a general iPhone output thing, but iOS considering this to be Bluetooth headphones rather than a speaker may explain a lower volume. As usual I thoroughly enjoyed the video, so as always, thank you very much. But asking people on the internet to consider relatives rather than absolutes? Well, good luck with that...
I had the connection defined as ‘Device type - Speaker” I presumed that was the best option.
Thanks for reviewing it Matt! Phew! Thank god you liked it, I already ordered mine last week! We Are Rewind made that boombox for you, looks amazing on your shelf too!
Pleasantly surprised is an understatement. You think (in person) it sounds as well or better than the RiddimVox? Wow. Nicely done video. Take care 🤍
The RiddimVox went off to the locker due to space limitations, but perhaps I should do a comparison between a number of devices one day.
Very, very few YouTubers I'd trust for an honest review in a "paid promotion" video. Looks like a good boombox. Thanks Techmoan.
"Modern boomboxes" is a product category that reminds me that it's possible to have zero interest whatsoever in owning a product, and even to have no idea why somebody would want to pay actual money for such a thing…and also be happy that it exists for those who aren't like me. I do own an 80s General Electric boombox. From the day I first saw it in a department store as a kid, to today, looking at it on a shelf in my office, I've always thought it had a terrific design. For that reason alone, it delivers enough value to justify the amount of space it displaces. But I've never even felt the temptation to stick a Bluetooth cassette adapter into it, let alone acquire or make tapes for it. (As vintage audio formats go, cassettes exist in a weird zone. The appeal of LPs is easier for a non-fan to understand: big album art, decades of out-of-print content available on no other format, credible argument that the sound is subjectively preferable, playback hardware is mechanically simple and easy to repair. Cassettes are…none of that, plus the media degrades over time.) But I love videos like this one. I enjoy watching ice hockey even though I don't want to play it myself.
I very rarely buy cassettes any more, perhaps one or two every few years…but I do value being able to play my old tapes despite their flaws and in spite of the availability of the exact same albums on streaming.
Awsome, been waiting for this review since they announced it. Also, you were my top youtuber of my Youtube recap! I watched a good 394 videos of yours this year
You did well to find a good 394.
I have to imagine the designers will be stoked with this review. Sounds like a really great device for tape-enthusiasts.
Just want to say thank you. With hospital nonsense going on (I know you have had quite the year yourself, of course) your videos are my happy place. Every single one. Thank you.
Hang in there and whatever you do, don’t order the hospital Fish & Chips on Fridays, a pie is the better option.
Didn’t they come out with a Walkman device a while back? This seems to be a much more successful attempt. Honestly, that sequence you showed of trying to open the innards was pretty impressive. That’s some serious engineering under all those screws. Was this engineered in France? It’s very impressive. I don’t have any cassettes to play, but if I did, I’d seriously consider buying this. Good video, Matt.
They did and in my opinion the tape mechs available nowadays aren’t good enough for a Walkman type device. If it can’t slip into a shirt pocket I’d forget it. Boomboxes often used these clunky mechs, my old one did, so it’s a lot more acceptable to me.
This is an impressive device. I too would add a tape counter, cue/review, possibly track search. Don't really care for autoreverse as it means azimuth fiddling and costs. It would have been great if you were able to dig inside to the point where we find out if it has an upgraded flywheel but even for me I wouldn't buy one unless it had all the above plus CD and radio, maybe even Dab+. I believe I'm sold at even £600 if it adds CD and Dab+ along with a cassette track search.
I’ve been told by someone (who claims they asked W.A.R.) that the flywheel isn’t enhanced, however this would only be a concern if the W&F was poor, but since the speed regularity is good enough as it is, the lack of a large brass flywheel doesn’t seem to be a hindrance.
Whenever I see a closeup of your hands in this video, my stupid brain sees your floral shirt and thinks you've got new sleeve tattoos.
This happened to me too
Build quality inside looks very similar to Sonos. I think that is where the pricing and quality is sort of pitched at - imagine a stereo Sonos speaker of a similar size of a similar build quality and it is the equivalent sort of price. Seems like they’re good drivers too.
WWTMT
I just watched the last video so this is like two Techmoan Videos on one day. surely feels like a unique calendar period.
Very interested to see this review. Hope you get the views to pay for it as I know it's an expensive one.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to pay for it. I wouldn’t have bought it because it’s unlikely the video would’ve paid for the cost of the item.