stynger007 said:
I have found one in my closet, here is the pic:
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Ahhh... IMHO, that is the Maxell series that really put them on the map. I have a few UDXLI and UDXLII tapes with that design, which I absolutely love! They have that retro-substantial-top-of-the-line look and are among my favorite maxells to look at. They photgraph well through boombox windows, too!
Overall, that series were pretty good tapes, especially for that time. But, I do think the second generation UDXL II and the ensuing XLII variants that were made and sold into the mid-90's are sonically better tapes. I think that goes for the UDXLI as well. I have some of the 1995 version XLI tapes here and they sound fabulous compared to the same material recorded on that 1st Gen UDXLI in your picture. I'm actually such a tapehead geek that I've done several comparisons between the various maxell formulations using various Nakamichi, Onkyo and Denon decks.
Below is a URL to what I think is the best ever series of reviews on Maxell tapes organized by era and forumulation. It's like a chronology of what Maxells were available when... The tapehead forum lists newest posts first, so I recommend you scroll down to the bottom of the page first and read upwards. (FYI: If you are into higher end tape, reel-to-reel, or just vintage analog audio, that forum has the same intimiate vibe as this one and is definitely worth joining)
http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=285&page=2
Are you absolutely positive they were reels? 
