ok, again for the record, I'd go with an apex condensor mic if you're starting out with "big" condensor mics, but for dynamic mics I don't know anything but shures (which ARE great).
However, here's a note about APEX (just like behringer): these companies, which are actually chinese knockoff companies, don't spend any money on R&D of new products. Instead what they do is take a great major name product and reverse engineer it (take it apart, make a copy). They do that very very well too. Behringer mixers sound a hell of a lot like mackies. Even the midrange dip is there. And Apex mics sound a LOT like their originals as well. The mechanical build is very good. The electronics aren't so hot though, but that can be upgraded later by a tech place (or by yourself if you're crazy into electronics). I have no issues with apex mics, in fact they're a great way to get into pro recording sound without spending much. Same goes for behringer and M-Audio. However, M-Audio doesn't copy other products, they invent their own, so for the money you spend you're getting something that's less proven.
With Apex and Behringer, what your'e getting is proven technology and design, but with cheaper electronic parts. You might find it's a speck noisier (only a tiny speck though), or slightly less warm sounding. Again, that CAN be changed later with a new transformer etc. Even new caps make a difference, but only a very small one.
