The AKAI GX-650D is a later and improved version of the GX-630D reel to reel tape recorder. The GX-650 has 3 speeds of magnetic tape (38, 19 and 9.5 cm per second) and belt drive. In the transport mechanism of the Akai GX-650D reel, a high-quality engine with a servo drive SCM3-16TW and a double tonal are used. The same engines are installed on the reel tape recorders of the models GX-400D, GX-400D-PRO, GX-400D -SS and PRO-1000. Both pinch rollers are driven by their own solenoids (a kind of electromagnets). Another solenoid monitors the tension of the magnetic tape, and the other controls the braking system. The transport mechanism of the GX-650D is completely symmetrical.
Akai GX-650D is one of the few tape recorders that has a Hall Effect Sensor. With this sensor it is possible to perform a quick selection of functions. Two eddy current motors are used to control the coil cushions, which are intended for fast rewinding of the magnetic tape forward and backward. To control the recording and playback levels, two high-precision dial indicators are located on the front panel of the recorder. The tape recorder can play coils with a magnetic tape in the size of 265 mm. The AKAI GX-650 coil deck has a high recording and playback quality and is equipped with durable magnetic glass-ferrite heads.