This thread is an example of the good and bad of online forums. The good is that you can interact with people all over the world with common interests. The bad is that negative comments by those with an axe to grind (e.g. work for a competitor) or positive comments by those with a financial interest can create a false impression of a product.

Take the Behringer B300. I agree that the bang for the buck is terrific for this speaker. I have a pair and I can tell you that they are great. And I have no financial interest in that company.

I can also tell you that speaker opinions are very subjective. And that the price of name brand speakers has a lot of profit margin built in to pay for the advertising.

The only way to figure it out is to go to the store and listen yourself. A lot of people think they hear something but really don't when placed in a controlled environoment to A/B two different speakers.
For example, the aoustics and ambience of the room, the angle of the listener, etc.

Also, posters on a forum are not necessarily a scientific random sample of buyers. Usually those with problems post and those who are satisified are making music.

As to quality, I spoke with the owners of Behringer at the winter NAMM show this year and was told they have opened up a new factory in China that implements the lastest ISO specs (these are international guidelines and procedures for quality control and companies that implement this spec have the highest quality). You can't use the ISO designation unless the factory is certified by an international body of engineers.

By the way, I met Nigel and his lovely wife at this same NAMM show. I guess he doesn't remember meeting me there since he is quick to erase my posts when he disagrees with me.

As far as one repairman's anecdotal experiences, they are just that: anecdotal, not scientific. And which store does he work for - one that doesn't sell Behringer? And when was the experience - before the new factory opened last year?

Bottom line - Behringer is the fastest growing company in the music biz at the moment. The reason is that it provides good quality and value.

You know, the music biz is a relatively small industry. As musicians, I think we should all think very hard before knocking a product. Competition benefits us by forcing companies to continue research and development and by keeping prices down. By being quick to be negative about a product, you may be putting the kibosh on potential sales that not only hurt a company, but hurt all musicians as well. Think before you post.

Read others comments but make up your own mind.