In the midst of a cassette renaissance that’s seen sales surge over 400% in the past decade, We Are Rewind is cranking up the volume with the Curtis GB-001—a sleek, neo-retro boombox that fuses ’80s nostalgia with cutting-edge tech. Launched in May 2025, this powerhouse has quickly become the darling of vinyl-adjacent audiophiles and mixtape revivalists, earning rave reviews for its authentic tape playback, robust Bluetooth streaming, and room-filling sound. As we hit the holiday season, the GB-001 isn’t just a gadget; it’s a time machine that turns any living room into a block party from the Reagan era—minus the shoulder pads.
Goldens age of portable stereos
Hailing from the innovative minds at Paris-based We Are Rewind, the Curtis GB-001 pays homage to the golden age of portable stereos while sidestepping their dated pitfalls. Measuring a portable 17 inches wide and weighing in at a manageable 10 pounds, its CNC-machined aluminum chassis gleams with a brushed finish, accented by glowing backlit VU meters that pulse like a heartbeat during playback. The design screams ’80s icon—think Run-D.M.C. meets modern minimalism—but beneath the surface lies a “2.0” upgrade: Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless wireless pairing, a swappable 3000mAh lithium-ion battery, and a premium cassette mechanism that handles both Type I and Type II tapes with surgical precision.
Top-tier cassette deck
At the heart of the GB-001 is its top-tier cassette deck, engineered with a user-adjustable motor for rock-solid speed stability and internal regulation that rivals dedicated home decks. Record off the radio, your phone’s line-in, or even a live mic input with adjustable levels—perfect for capturing impromptu jam sessions or dubbing that forgotten demo tape. Playback controls are intuitive: dedicated buttons for play, stop, fast-forward, rewind, and record, all illuminated for late-night spins. But what truly elevates the experience is the audio prowess. Four Hi-Fi drivers—two powerful woofers for thunderous bass extension and two soft-dome tweeters for crystalline highs—deliver a staggering 104 watts of stereo power. That’s ten times the output of classic ’80s blasters, yet refined with dynamic power control to curb distortion, a “We Are Rewind” signature EQ for natural warmth, and a spatialization mode that widens the soundstage into an immersive panorama.
10 hours of battery life
Battery life keeps the party going: up to 10 hours of tape playback through the built-in speakers (or 15 hours via headphones), stretching to 15 hours in AUX mode and a marathon 28 hours wired. Fine-tune your vibe with onboard bass, treble, and balance knobs, or plug in a guitar for the built-in amp function—because why not shred like it’s 1985? Inputs abound: 3.5mm aux, mic jack, and even RCA for vinyl integration, making the GB-001 a versatile hub in any high-end setup.
Price and availability
Priced at around $540 USD (or €449), the Curtis GB-001 democratizes high-fidelity nostalgia without breaking the bank. It’s not just surviving the streaming wars—it’s thriving, bridging generations with its blend of warmth, power, and portability. As We Are Rewind’s follow-up to the acclaimed WE-001 portable player, the GB-001 cements the brand’s role in the physical media revival, proving cassettes aren’t relics; they’re rocket fuel for creativity.
