A long-running brand rooted in a high-grade “Hi-Fi” cassette.
Normal Position. Since 1970.
First generation, 1970
60 minutes - ¥700 / 90 minutes - ¥1100 / 120 minutes - ¥1400.
The first generation appeared in 1970 as an LH-type cassette for music. Its packaging used gold to convey a high-grade impression and initially carried the name “Hi-Fi.” This soon changed to “HF,” the name that would continue for many years. The cassette itself had a high-precision black shell, which also gave it a high-grade appearance. Black shells subsequently became the default for high-grade tapes from various manufacturers.
Explanatory Note
“HF” was one of Sony’s representative cassette brands, continuing for more than 40 years from 1970. Despite sharing the same “HF” name, however, the nature of the first two generations differed from that of the third and later generations.
The original “HF” appeared as Sony’s first high-grade LH (Low Noise, High Output) product. Its name came from “Hi-Fi,” meaning high fidelity, and it was a pioneer in improving cassette sound quality. The second generation, released in 1973, remained a long seller for a full five years and became one of the representative high-performance music cassettes of the 1970s.
In 1978, Sony reorganized its cassette range. The Normal types became three series, “AHF,” “BHF” and “CHF,” and “HF” temporarily disappeared.
“HF” returned in 1983, but as a product at the most basic grade. From then on, “HF” became the most basic Normal-type cassette in Sony’s range. It continued as an exceptionally long seller through successive generations into the 2010s.
Second generation, 1973
46 minutes - ¥500 / 60 minutes - ¥600 / 90 minutes - ¥900 / 120 minutes - ¥1200.
The second generation was renewed together with “CR” to coincide with the release of “Duad.” The packaging and cassette label were completely redesigned, and prices were reduced. The first generation had an “Auto-Sensor”-compatible leader tape, but the second generation no longer supported it. A 46-minute version was added in 1975. It remained a long seller for about five years, until its successor “BHF” appeared in 1978.
Third generation, 1983
30 minutes - ¥300 / 46 minutes - ¥350 / 60 minutes - ¥400 / 90 minutes - ¥650 / 120 minutes - ¥900.
Prices were revised later.
The third generation returned as Sony’s basic cassette and the effective successor to “CHF.” Its colors were red, orange and yellow. The shell retained the transparent material of “CHF,” but the embossed areas were limited to part of the surface, giving it a cleaner, clearer overall appearance. The label became replaceable, tape performance improved, and the product was a substantial upgrade over “CHF.”
Fourth generation, 1986
10 minutes - ¥260 / 20 minutes - ¥280 / 30 minutes - ¥300 / 46 minutes - ¥350 / 60 minutes - ¥400 / 90 minutes - ¥650 / 120 minutes - ¥900.
Prices were revised later.
The fourth generation introduced new packaging. The internal hubs also received a new design in white, while the clamps and rollers became orange. A newly developed high-performance magnetic material improved dynamic range by 1 dB across the entire frequency range. A high-polymer binder system also improved tape-running stability. Ten- and 20-minute versions were added.
Fifth generation, 1988
10 minutes - ¥260 / 20 minutes - ¥280 / 30 minutes - ¥300 / 46 minutes - ¥350 / 60 minutes - ¥400 / 90 minutes - ¥600 / 120 minutes - ¥800.
Prices were revised later.
The fifth generation received a new design as an economy cassette for all-round use. Improvements to the magnetic material reduced noise and produced a clearer sound. It used distinctive red guide rollers, described as “マッドレッド (Mad Red).” The hubs changed to dark gray. The replaceable label became a two-tone design in light and dark gray.
Sixth generation, 1990
10 minutes - ¥250 / 20 minutes - ¥270 / 30 minutes - ¥290 / 46 minutes - ¥340 / 60 minutes - ¥380 / 90 minutes - ¥550 / 120 minutes - ¥700.
The sixth generation was released in 1990. Its packaging adopted a design of its own, different from the higher-grade products. The cassette still had a transparent shell, but the label carrying the product name and other details was removed, with those details printed directly on the shell. Highly durable tape and the DP mechanism ensured stable tape running through repeated use.
Seventh generation, 1991
10 minutes - ¥280 / 20 minutes - ¥300 / 30 minutes - ¥320 / 46 minutes - ¥370 / 60 minutes - ¥420 / 90 minutes - ¥610 / 120 minutes - ¥770.
The packaging was completely renewed in a contrasting red, white and black design. The “HF” lettering printed on the transparent shell also became red, creating a bright, pop-style impression. The cassette used the DP・II mechanism internally.
Eighth generation, 1993
10 minutes - ¥280 / 20 minutes - ¥300 / 30 minutes - ¥320 / 46 minutes - ¥370 / 60 minutes - ¥420 / 90 minutes - ¥610 / 120 minutes - ¥770 / 150 minutes - ¥1000.
A new typeface was used for the large “HF” lettering in the center of the packaging. The cassette adopted an ultrasonically welded “one-piece rigid shell” (ワンピース・リジット・シェル). The plastic case changed to a rounded type, and a 150-minute version was added.
Ninth generation, 1997
10 minutes - ¥220 / 20 minutes - ¥240 / 30 minutes - ¥260 / 46 minutes - ¥300 / 60 minutes - ¥340 / 90 minutes - ¥480 / 120 minutes - ¥500 / 150 minutes - ¥740.
Recommended uses and explanations were displayed in Japanese on the packaging, giving it the clear appearance of a general-purpose cassette for ordinary users. A slim plastic case was adopted. It was sold for more than ten years, during which production shifted from Japan to overseas manufacturing.
Tenth generation, 2012
10 minutes - open price / 60 minutes - open price / 90 minutes - open price.
The tenth generation was released in 2012, when cassettes were nearing the end and sales of the ninth generation were gradually fading out. It is considered an OEM version of Maxell “UL.” As on Maxell products, side A and B markings and other details are printed on the leader tape.