Music, innovation, and conversation: On May 6, Sonopress invited colleagues, industry experts, and music lovers to the exclusive “Eco Record Soundcheck” at Max Schlundt’s stylish store in the “Living Berlin” design and lifestyle center. In this unique setting, Sonopress, which is part of Bertelsmann Marketing Services, spotlighted the “Eco Record” – a record that stands out not only for its revolutionary, sustainable production process, but also for its excellent sound quality.
“We are presenting our latest pressings to customers and business partners today,” explained Jörg Pollmeyer, Senior Vice President Sales at Sonopress, at the start of the event. “What we especially want to focus on today is how the ‘Eco Record’ compares sonically.
Outstanding sound quality
The afternoon developed into a listening journey across genres and decades. Following the welcome and initial conversations, the musical journey began with the sounds of Kruder & Dorfmeister’s “DJ-Kicks.” This was followed by warm jazz from Dexter Gordon, energetic Britpop from Supergrass, the epic soundscapes of Coldplay, Joep Beving’s moving piano compositions, and finally Clueso’s catchy German pop.
Each track brought its own atmosphere and offered the perfect opportunity to compare the “Eco Record” directly with classic vinyl and discuss the sonic nuances of the “Eco Record.” Between tracks, the hosts specifically invited feedback from guests – discussions emerged, opinions were exchanged, and the sonic nuances of the “Eco Record” became a shared topic of conversation.
“The main point is to compare whether an eco-friendly alternative can also deliver excellent quality,” noted Sven Deutschmann, CEO of Sonopress. “We want to hear that for ourselves – using a wide range of examples and live music.”
From skepticism to enthusiasm
The event took place at Max Schlundt’s store – a fixture of Berlin’s hi-fi scene since the 1980s, renowned for excellent sound, technical expertise, and a passion for music. Schlundt openly admitted he had initial doubts: “When I first heard that records were going to be made from PET, I was skeptical. I now have several examples here, and it is remarkable: The playback quality is not just on par with vinyl, but in my opinion actually superior. There is greater transparency and clarity in the low-frequency range, a bit more dynamic range, and above all, virtually no groove noise.”
And for those who miss the crackle of vinyl, Schlundt had a clear response: “Leave out everything that is not music – keep only the signal. That’s high-end audio! Once you get used to no longer hearing the artifacts of vinyl while still enjoying the advantages of analog playback, you will not want to miss it.”
