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We Are Rewind GB-001
We Are Rewind are expanding their presence in the United States with a product that feels both familiar and brand new. The GB-001, nicknamed Curtis, marks the company's entry into the modern boombox category, arriving at a moment when cassette culture is experiencing an unexpected revival. With cassette sales increasing by more than 400% over the last decade, interest in tapes and mixtapes has moved far beyond nostalgia, and the appetite for well-built, full-size players has returned. Curtis is now available in the US through Amazon, We Are Rewind and Turntable Lab, offering listeners a device that does far more for their music than a compact Bluetooth speaker ever could.
Although designed as a contemporary reimagining of the classic 80s boombox, the GB-001 is not a retro curiosity. It incorporates a new-generation audio architecture built around four Hi-Fi class loudspeakers - two dedicated woofers for extended low-frequency response and two soft-dome tweeters responsible for clarity and upper-band finesse. Together they deliver a substantial 104 watts of total power output and a wide, stable stereo image. Whether users listen to tapes, connect an external device by cable or stream their music via Bluetooth, Curtis is intended to operate not only as a cassette player but also as a self-contained home speaker system.
To prevent the brute-force approach often associated with powerful portable units, We Are Rewind have equipped the GB-001 with several control-oriented features. Dynamic power management reduces distortion at higher volumes, refined equalisation is designed to maintain a natural tonal balance and a spatialisation function broadens the perceived stereo field for more immersive playback. The cassette deck itself is built around a robust mechanism with an adjustable motor and internal speed regulation, allowing users to fine-tune performance. Recording and playback support both Type I and Type II cassettes, and the active AC erase head is used to maintain low noise and consistent frequency response.
The front panel incorporates two backlit VU meters that monitor playback and recording levels, reinforcing the unit's studio-inspired character. A microphone input with adjustable gain turns the boombox into a mobile recorder, opening the door to live vocal notes, instant demo tapes or casual jam sessions. With the auxiliary input, Bluetooth 5.4 and a standard 3.5 mm jack, the GB-001 can operate as a loudspeaker for virtually any external source, from a turntable with built-in output to a phone or laptop. The rechargeable and user-replaceable lithium-ion battery provides up to 10 hours of playback in tape mode through the speakers and up to 28 hours when using headphones in Aux mode, underscoring the device's emphasis on long, uninterrupted listening sessions.
The physical interface has also been developed with a nod to classic equipment. The top panel hosts the source selector, bass, treble and balance controls, the tape type selector and the Bluetooth pairing button, giving users full control without relying on secondary menus or apps. The design aims to blend the familiar silhouette of 1980s boomboxes with contemporary proportions and cleaner surfaces, resulting in a neo-retro aesthetic that stands apart from both purely vintage recreations and modern minimalist speakers. For those who enjoy more interactive use, the microphone input can be paired with wireless mics for vocal playback, small performances or even impromptu rap battles, while instruments such as electric guitars can be plugged directly into the system and used with its amplification. The GB-001 is on sale now at a retail price of $579. Info and pictures by We Are Rewind.
