Prejudice, prejudice...
I'm a "user". I'd use any crap from Daewoo or whatever if it worked for my purpose and wouldn't break down in my usage. About Behringer, there are three kind of people:
1) Never tried Behringer, but have a strong opinion about the "problem" their "friends" have had (most of them because of false use or wrong product for their needs).
2) Got one bad product, and will never buy again. What they don't know is that most of the big names have a lousy warranty repair also.
3) People who try and use B without prejudice, and are really happy about the ridiculously low prices. They are able to expect getting what they pay for. (Although, usually Behringer far exceeds the price paid.)
I have used DDX3216 (digital mixer), ADA8000 (digital 8-ch micpre), and HA8000 (headphone amp) for a good perioid of time. I've had small problems because of low quality, but nothing that'd make me use the warranty:
1) The DDX fan got noisy for the first 10 minutes after powering on. No prob, I just let it warm up before recording. (Fostex D2424LV fan was a LOT worse, besides, fans bust out always anyway.)
2) One of the DDX buttons has to be pressed a bit harder.
3) A part of a headphone jack fell off from
the HA8000 when using a phone plug in a terrible condition. No prob, just have to be more careful now when putting a plug in the "broken" connector. I think I could still superglue the part back in.
I find buying a Behringer more as a moral issue for me. The way they came to the market, and the way they still operate, is strongly against good business manners. But as long as the decision for end user is between $200 product that is easy to use, or a $800 product with very little difference (except a bit harder to use), there is a strong market for B products. If one is looking for a $200-$400 product, one doesn't have to choose, there are no competitors.
Some people say it is better to wait until one can afford a big name product. What the *bleep* is up with that?! It is like: "I'd love to come record Your band, but I can't 'cos I can't afford the gear that Pearl Jam uses" versus "Sure! Whenever is good for You!" How can that be an option?! "Can't put reverb on the vocals 'cos can't afford a studio grade reverb" versus "Sure, here You go!" When one is looking for a mic preamp with ADAT out, "not getting" is not a product, it is not an option! Everyone knows that You can't expect a $300 monitor pair to be as good as a $1000 pair. What only few people know is that it actually might be. Atleast it is ridiculously close. I can't see justification for the price difference.
The individual products I am familiar with, have been of exceptional value, and I have had a pleasure to work with solid units. DDX3216 is an icredible product, for the price and for any price. I'd recommend it to anyone, except for people with a bad back. Every Yamaha digital mixer seems very difficult to use, but I never even needed the manual for DDX. Man, it was lovely to use. Don't have it anymore since I record straight to my PC (via ADA8000).
I had a good listen to 2030A and 2031A monitors today. I like the 2030A better because of the more detailed midrange. After adjusting the switches a bit (treble -4, room -2), the pair sounded very exact, and very precise (classical, heavy metal, rock, soul, and jazz). I'd love to mix on those monitors a LOT more than on Tannoy Reveal Active (easy listening but bad stereo projection and detail). Genelec 8030 sounded quite strange, not that detailed in the midrange. 2030A brought up all the nuances I've learned to expect from the tracks I've listened to in several different places and speakers. I use ADAM at my home studio, but I wish I had a reason to buy the 2030A's. They are too good.
I don't work for Behringer or any other brand, but I just don't have prejudice for equipent. I love to compare products, but with Behringer it is often difficult since there is nothing to compare it to in the price range. It rarely makes sense to compare $300 product to a $1000 product. (Although the biggest TV station in Finland did. They measured and compared B's and Genelecs, and got a few dozen pairs of B's.)
I'd be happy to share more of my knowledge if someone wants to ask. mrelwood at yahoo dot com.
Ps. Wouldn't buy a B-1 mic. There are better ones for $100.
EDIT: There is no web page as straight-forward and filled with easy access information than behringer.com.