Back in 2023, We Are Rewind proved there was still life left in the humble cassette player with the WE-001. Now the company is completing the look with a pair of headphones that appear to have stepped straight out of a mixtape-making session in 1986. Folks, meet the Freddie (EQ-002).
Inspired by the lightweight portable headphones that accompanied countless Walkmans and cassette players during the golden age of tapes, the Freddie embraces retro styling without forcing you to live entirely in the past. Thankfully, there is no need to untangle a 3-meter cable from your jacket pocket before listening to music.
The Freddie connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 6, making it a natural companion for We Are Rewind’s WE-001 cassette player, as well as smartphones and other modern audio devices. For those who prefer a more authentic analogue experience, a 3.5 mm cable is included too. Yes, you can still listen the old-fashioned way.
One of the most impressive numbers here is not the battery life, but the weight. At just 66 g (2.3 oz), the Freddie is remarkably light. That is very much in keeping with the portable headphones that inspired it. The built-in battery provides up to 14 hours of playback, while integrated controls handle music playback and phone calls through an onboard microphone.
Visually, the Freddie looks like the kind of headphones that would have accompanied a carefully curated mixtape recorded from the radio, complete with the occasional DJ interruption. The difference is that these pair with Bluetooth devices instead of a cassette player clipped to your belt.
Well, mostly.
For anyone who picked up the We Are Rewind WE-001 and thought, “This needs matching headphones,” the company has now granted your wish. The Freddie may look like it belongs in the 1980s, but it is perfectly happy living in 2026.
Speaking of which, if you are down, the Freddie (EQ-002) can be had for US$59.
Images: We Are Rewind.
