Behringer XL Series vs MIDAS Venice Series

[ankursamtaney]

This is with regards to mixers for recording full live bands. I know there are many other brands to look at, but I'm particularly referring to the following models here. Not looking at buying either, but wish to know your thoughts:

Behringer XL1600 vs Midas Venice 160
Behringer XL2400 vs Midas Venice 240
Behringer XL3200 vs Midas Venice 320

Apparently they are absolutely identical in terms of features, with Behringer being between one-sixth to one-tenth the price of the equivalent Midas mixers. Has anyone used any of these mixers? Am looking for first hand comparative reviews. Here's what I've found so far (you'll need to move to the review tab next to Description and Specs):

Buy Behringer XENYX XL1600 Live Mixer | Unpowered Mixers | Musician's Friend

Buy Midas Venice 160 16-Channel Analog Mixer | Unpowered Mixers | Musician's Friend

Any thoughts welcome. Thanks.

[jagcmos]

No experience with the Behringer consoles, but I have used the Midas Venice 320 and it's a great board with good clean preamps.

When you a/b the pictures, it pretty obvious that Behringer loves to steal designs. They have went to court over this before.

I'm sure the Behringer would give you a couple of years before the faders and circuitry started to fail, but you could get a lifetime from the Midas and still have a good resale price.

[String7th]

During the time that the Midas work flawlessly, you would have repaired failed Behringer preamps, replaced broken faders and knobs, repaired cheap Behringer power supplies and probably bought an entire new Behringer board.

Also, I would assume the sound quality should be better in regard to preamp noise floor, power supply noise, eq sublety, and fader accuracy.

[String7th]

Oh and have you seen the new ribbon monitors they make? I call then BAdam 5's.

[ankursamtaney]

Originally Posted by String7th

Oh and have you seen the new ribbon monitors they make? I call then BAdam 5's.

Ermm.. you lost me there! Pardon my ignorance! :P

And thanks guys for your replies. Appreciate your feedback. Thanks. However, I was hoping to hear from someone who has used these particular Behringer boards; I've been made to believe that they're better than the usual products that many people find unreliable.

Got what i needed to know about the Midas console. Awaiting some first hand reviews about the Behringer boards. Thanks.

[String7th]

Here's the ADAM Monitors for $575 each, I meant Adam 7's, not the 5 series.
Buy ADAM Audio A7 Powered Studio Monitor (Each) | Powered Monitors | Musician's Friend

Here's the Behringer knock-offs for $165 each

[brandondrury]

Behringer is so inexpensive because they focus on mass production and care little about quality control. Very very few of us have had positive experiences with Behringer (their headphone amps seem to be an exception).

If you have no real need for extra quality and are willing to take the reliability gamble, Behringer's unbeatable prices will win out.

Brandon

[ankursamtaney]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

If you have no real need for extra quality and are willing to take the reliability gamble, Behringer's unbeatable prices will win out.
Brandon

I know what you mean, Brandon. So if a Behringer product is about 20% or 30% cheaper than a similar product by a 'better' brand, then 7 out of 10 would possibly go in for the better brand. But comparing Midas' Venice series and the Behringer XL mixers, you're talking one-seventh to one-tenth the price for exactly the same features. And you're not looking at stuff like onboard FX here anyway, so the only quality (sound quality) coming into play are the mic preamps; surely Midas would be better, but do they justify paying 7x the price? When doing a live gig, with cables running from mics / instruments to mixer to EQ to FX to Compressor / limiter (in whatever order), to what not, and then to amps and then speakers, how much of that difference in preamps can one actually identify in the final sound output? (this is a genuine question, 'cos I've never had the chance of comparing cheap with expensive in such situations).

Also, effectively, you can even replace the Behringer mixers every 2 years, and you'd go 14 to 20 years spending the same as what you'd spend for that one Midas board. And even for the Midas, you'll surely need to open up the board once ever few years to clean / lubricate the faders, knobs etc etc.

I'm not trying to say go buy Behringer. Neither am I saying that one's a fool to prefer that Midas board. I'm only trying to understand 'consumer behaviour' (for the lack of a better word / phrase). Call it a marketing project, if you must :P

Anyway, thanks again everyone.

[venuestudio]

The difference between the boards is going to be noticed when you have to start really pushing the board live. As you push those preamps harder and harder the Midas is going to out perform the Behringer (and everyone else for that matter with the exception of a few like Harrison). I have mixed on Yamaha, Berhinger, Allen and Heath, Soundcraft, Midas and Mackie. The Midas kicked all of them down the stairs. It is a world class FOH mixer. There is more to the mixer than just a preamp, look at the Eq section, routing and most important, service after sales. Midas stands behind their equipment and takes good care of their customers in the field. If you want more opinions go to Roadie.net and ask the guys touring.
Another plus with the Midas is if you do any contract work their boards will meet a good portion of the rider requirements (although it isn't quite that simple as there is channel count to be considered).
In the end you will need to decide if this purchase is going to be about money or quality. Either way is fine as long as you are happy with the decision. BTW they are not the same as far as channel count, the Behringer does have more XLR inputs. If you are looking to compare two consoles with 12 XLR inputs look at the APB ProRack H1020. It is a killer board. About the same price as the Midas and every bit as good.

[ankursamtaney]

Appreciate your feedback, Kent. Thanks.

Originally Posted by venuestudio

In the end you will need to decide if this purchase is going to be about money or quality. Either way is fine as long as you are happy with the decision.

You're absolutely right. Almost every decision to buy something comes with a trade-off between price and quality, irrespective of what you're buying --- shoes, shirts, cables, mics, etc. Of course, you do have some exceptions to this rule!

And something really smart i read elsewhere, which also applies to practically everything you buy or want to buy is: how much that very thing is worth TO YOU (obviously may not be worth just as much to another!). For a touring band, their mixers can make or break their show. However, for a budding bedroom musician or someone who just wants a big mixer for fun or show, 3K - 4K would be an absolutely ridiculous price!!!


Thanks again guys.