Technical Statistics of Mixers (??)

[chewmanfoo]

Does anyone know how to read the tech specs of the mixers. I'm looking here: http://www.behringer-download.de/MX2642A/MX2642A_A_Specs.pdf
here:
http://www.soundcraft.com/pdf/technical datasheet/mseries_tech_data.pdf
and here:
http://www.mackie.com/record/pdf/1202vlzpro_ss.pdf

What do the numbers mean?

Specifically, how do I guage the relative "quietness" of the mixer? How about the preamps? Headroom?

I think I'll order online to save some bucks (also, Soundcraft is not available in my area for reasonable prices...), so I can't actually hear the mixer before I buy it.

Thanks!
chew

 

[Track Rat]

Specs don't tell the whole story. Things like build quality, service on the unit after you bought it and overall sonic characateristics are hard to raed form a spec sheet.

 

[Sennheiser]

Much of that would require a crash course in electronics theory to understand all of it. I'm a tech and I don't even understand all of it.

Signal to noise ratio is pretty straightforward. The higher the number the better.

Crosstalk is also important if using ajacent channels at the same time. Again, the higher the number the better.

THD: the lower the number the better.

That's just skimming the surface.