For Box-Set: minimalistic, no unnecessary experiments, but sometimes less is more. Its contents should be known, nevertheless again in fast forward: Live in Berlin (DVD) Alive in Berlin (DVD), Live in Berlin Soundtrack 1 (CD) Live in Berlin Soundtrack 2 (CD) Delta Machine (5.1 Audio Blu ray).
The first surprise: the first DVD (Live in Berlin) can not play, unfortunately, reports in three DVD players "Error".
The second surprise: The second DVD (Alive in Berlin - [! Depeche Mode to kneel down, MARVELLOUS concert]) can take place, the picture is contrary to popular opinions bearable (I'm assuming that this "sub-optimal" image as a stylistic device for "whatever" was chosen) and Anton Corbijn's intermittent interviews interesting. Would not this simply unbearable sound. Yes, this (almost) the same sound of the unbearable there was before, namely in the "Tour of the Universe" (then even on Blu-ray). In very few words summed up: Miserable admixture with an imprecise effect playback and an exaggerated bass. The "icing on the cake": The not to be listening volume difference between the concert portions and the interviews should be proof enough for the negligence and / or incompetence of all those involved.
The third surprise: Well, the defective one DVD, the second so-so, the CDs are already able to somehow compensate for the failures. Miracles are said to exist. I look forward and not be amazed bad but raging in my modest speakers of the House of Bowers & Wilkins, again, this loudness war.
This "quality" per se exceed the limits of what is reasonable and I am amazed over and over again that the customer - with all due respect - such waste at all tolerate / accept, celebrate and pay for it even still. The music industry - at this point Sony Music called explicitly - sold their customers for fools. Or at least try to do it. Not for the first time. And certainly not the last time.
Of course it does not always have HD and / or HiFi. And yes, the content matters. But the contents of this box is disappointing overall. Oh, the Blu-ray I almost forgot, it has it all - pure listening pleasure! Nevertheless, heavy and aching heart, a star, because two were one too many.
[Depeche Mode accompanied me continuously for almost 30 years and I can remember exactly because my mother initially kept asking me, what a cruel music I hear. These nagging is long gone. Today, she enjoys listening to the previously often ridiculed by their music and go to concerts now even this once for it "annoying" band. My son also carries the Depeche fashion "virus" in itself. What I want to express - Depeche Mode is highly "infectious", Depeche Mode is timeless, Depeche Mode survived generations].
