While sealed copies of physical media are usually considered more valuable due to their pristine condition, I personally avoid sealed cassettes when collecting. From my experience, a tape that’s actually been played and kept in rotation tends to perform much better than one that’s been sitting untouched for decades.
Magnetic tape can become brittle or warped over time, especially when it’s been sealed in plastic and exposed to changes in temperature or humidity. When you finally pop that “brand new” reel into your deck, there’s a good chance it might snap under tension or fail to play properly.
That’s why I always prefer used copies — ones that have already proven they can still run smooth. A well-loved cassette with a few scuffs on the case often holds up far better than a sealed one that’s been aging in isolation.
