Behringer bridges Home and Pro musicians gap really fast interm of using acceptable pro/semi pro gear.10 yrs ago Sprit folio small mixer will cost $300,now B is making it $49 with more features.

Behringer copies (both in and out ;meaning the look)from other companies so they
can sell it really cheap.Their R & D dept doesn't do much work.They had lawsuits from Makie,Boss etc.It's not very ethical if you'd ask me.It makes other companies like a fool and stop investing on R & D which is bad for all musicians in long term.

Durability is an issue(use of low priced components)(but in recent years it's getting better),But quality/price ratio there is no other choice.Their quality is OK to good(They tend to have around 80% sound quality of the ones that they copy, but sells 60% cheaper)but not durability in most cases.

Their aim is to get home and semi pro market (which is bigger than pro).They do not have plans (at least for now)to do SSL or Midas quality mixers but they do plan to beat MI great players like Makie,Peavy,Carvin and mid level Yamahas,Roland,etc and they are doing extremely well(their $ 99 near field monitors are copies of $150-200 rolands or even M audios).

They are relatively new in the industry.Since their prices are extremely great ,the company has grown really fast & they are now a major player in the field(making audio interfaces,KBs,FX pedals to full proaudio line).Remember GC and Samash refused to carry B mixers(due to pressure from the biggies)(only MF and other online companies were selling),but now they can't ignore B if they want to make money,so you now see more of them.

Will I use Behringer stuff in my home studio/occational live gigs - Sure I will.(selling $699 EON 15 G2 copies for $249? hell yeah!).

*Even Carvin PM15A(another G2 copy) will cost you more,but since Carvin is in US ,better customer service,so you gotta think twice.

Will I use them(Behringer) if I do a pro audio rentals ,Everyday gigs that need to run for several hours (nonstop power on)- Ummm, no!(not for now).

In US their Customer service is really poor.
So ,finally you get what you pay for and can't really complain.So if you plan to spend under $500 ,B is OK,but if you want to go above,you should think twice.


Peace.



[This message has been edited by jamman (edited 10-04-2006).]