Behringer failure, saw it for myself...

[Russell L]

Yep, the new group I'm with has been using a small Behringer powered mixer. There's other Behringer stuff, too. It's been worrying me, due to the failure rate of Behringer gear I keep hearing about. Well, yesterday, sho' nuff, the powered mixer died right in the middle of set two. Thank goodness the keyboard player had some extra stuff, or we woulda been instrumental for the rest of the gig. I told the leader that, unfortunately, that's what they're famous for. He said he's been using Behringer stuff for about 8 years with no problems. I guess that's possible, but for me personally, I'd rather spend my money on something that's not known to fail so much. I bet he'll have a time trying to get it fixed.

It was a real bummer to have to deal with it while folks sat watching.

[Jimbob Jones]

Yup, gear breaks. Sucks, don't it?

I own Behringer stuff that's still going strong after 10 years, and I've had other stuff (Behringer or no) that's been dodgy out of the box, gone kaput midway through a gig, or just refused to power up for no reason.

I wouldn't pin it on Behringer too much though, most manufacturers in that price bracket (Phonic, Pulse etc.) aren't famed for their reliability. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.

[armywalaby]

+1 for Jimbob. I have found it is better to buy expensive; typically it will be the last one you buy. Not omitting market research, of course. Maybe you should suggest it to your band leader.

[stflbn]

Everything breaks given enough different users experiences.

I choose not to use Behringer stuff... but many do... for good or for bad.

[Sonicfrog]

Originally Posted by Jimbob Jones

I've had other stuff (Behringer or no) that's been dodgy out of the box, gone kaput midway through a gig, or just refused to power up for no reason.

Because, of course... It's not going to fail when you're not using it!

Owned some Behringer stuff. Never had a problem with it. Did have a Peavey amp go out at a gig a number of years back, but it had some mileage on it.

[nutdog]

Everything you own is in the process of breaking.

[Sonicfrog]

I'm a spa repairman. Get down and dirty with electrics all the time! My business motto: "Things Break! I fix 'em!!!" There is a difference between how long something "should" last, and how long the average piece of equipment actually does.

But yes, everything has a life span. Usually, the thing that will go is either a capacitor, or a transistor. They get really dodgey when subjected to long term heat environments. Diodes too! Especially diodes... Which is why I hate it when car manufacturers put the alternator right against the firewall AND right over the exhaust pipe. You are guaranteeing a short alternator life!!!!

Oh, and my other business motto is: "Warranty??? Why, yes! It's guaranteed for the life of the product!!!!".

[Medford Bassman]

Let me start off by saying, I'm no lover of Behringer equipment. In the past I owned a Behringer bass head. Died during the gig, saved by my Sansamp BDDI. I do own one Behringer powered 12" speaker as use as a monitor for voice, key, guitar. I don't push it too hard and have never had a problem with it, using it at multiple gigs.

I also own an Allen & Heath Mix Wix. Owned it a year and repaired twice. First time, Channels 3 and 6 bad. Second time Right mader fade shot.

Morle, like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get!

[philter25]

Originally Posted by Jimbob Jones

Yup, gear breaks. Sucks, don't it?

I own Behringer stuff that's still going strong after 10 years, and I've had other stuff (Behringer or no) that's been dodgy out of the box, gone kaput midway through a gig, or just refused to power up for no reason.

I wouldn't pin it on Behringer too much though, most manufacturers in that price bracket (Phonic, Pulse etc.) aren't famed for their reliability. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.

^ Agreed. Ive used a Behringer EQ in my past band on vocals to kill feedback. It never broke. But we used a Behringer powered speaker as a monitor and it broke twice.

You get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once.

[Russell L]

Yeah, I'm not trying to bash Behringer. It's just that when you keep hearing stuff, and THEN see it actually happen, it makes you wonder. I gotta admit that the price of my Markbass stuff gives me the feeling of security, although I know it's no guarantee. I guess it's natural to think that logic says that the reason it costs more is because it's made better and will last longer. But, how can you really know.

I KNOW this: I'm not one to buy the inexpensive stuff, Behringer included. I have had good success with Peavey, though. But, Peavey isn't as inexpensive either. Plus, they DO have a good reputation. Sheesh, I feel bad for my friend. I talked to him a while ago, and he said he'd taken the thing apart and can't find anything wrong yet. I'll let yas know what comes of it. Dang, I just felt like this might happen. His other Behringer stuff seems ok, though, so far.

[Jazzdogg]

If we agree to set aside the brand (and that's a BIG if), the thing that concerns me most about using a powered mixer is having all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Separate components can make it easier to solve problems in the field; they also make it easier to upgrade components individually over time.

Buying that particular brand in an all-in-one configuration is not a risk I'd be comfortable making. But, it's a huge leap to suggest that the mixer failed because of the brand.

[Russell L]

Well, just heard back from my bud. The problem was that some wiring came loose from somewhere in the power supply (sorry, not sure exactly what). Anyway, he took it to a local tech who only charged $30 to fix it.

Yeah, I know, it's not fair to pin it on the particular brand. I think it applies to any brand that uses inexpensive parts, and/or that has questionable quality control. It's the same way with any product. In my mind, though, my philosophy is still that you get what you pay for. Nonetheless, that has to be taken with a grain of salt because anything, no matter how high-end, can fail. But, when it comes to my performing, I want something that gives me more assurance that my chances are greater for it not failing. Basically, that means paying more.

[Darknut]

My cousin is a licensed repair tech for almost all the major brands so he sees this stuff on a daily basis.

He says "all" the mass produced amps are equally crappy as far as quality control goes these days .... all of them .... even the expensive famous brands so its a crap shoot no matter what brand you get.

[AltGrendel]

Originally Posted by Russell L

...He said he's been using Behringer stuff for about 8 years with no problems.

So how old was the failed gear? 8 years or newer?

I'm thinking that it may just be a quality control issue for newer gear.

[meycom]

I work as a computer professional, have for 30+ years. If there is one thing I've
learned from that business, it is (as Philter25 said) "you get what you pay for".
Statistically, the higher price equipment has less failure rate. Better quality control or whatever usually justifies the price. In this business, you won't be around long with high failure rate equipment. That is why when I look to buy equipment, I don't F around with cheap gear or "deals". And I do own some Behringer gear, BUT, it's not "mission critical".

[bigfatbass]

My repair guy wont touch Behringer, Mackie, or Bose. Plastic crap designed to fail, and intentionally built to be impossible to work on.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by AltGrendel

So how old was the failed gear? 8 years or newer?

I'm thinking that it may just be a quality control issue for newer gear.

Dunno, but I'll find out.

If the high-end stuff is built just as crappy as low-end stuff, why would anyone pay for it, is my question? Gotta be some difference. It's like, why does my American Series Jazz Bass cost more than a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass. Huh? See, we naturally think that a higher price means better equipment---and it SHOULD. You should be able to pay more to get more. Whether that's the way it is, I dunno from where I stand. But, I'm banking on it, nonetheless. Can't help but think that way, especially when I see the inexpensive stuff breaking down more. I know one thing, my Markbass 112 combo + 115rig sounds better than my bud's Behringer 410 combo. But, maybe that has nothing to do with quality. Duh.

Anyone ever read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? Heh, heh.

[WalterBush]

My experience is that Behringer has high failure rates. I wouldn't be surprised to find that other brands in the price range have similar failure rates.

I just had enough bad experiences with them that I won't touch 'em if I have a choice.

I do have one of their first products, a four channel mixer that may still have the Mackie logo etched on the PCB, though I haven't looked. 10 years old and still going...because it's been very, very lightly used for ten years. Like once in a blue moon.

I look at it this way; I don't go to Harbor Freight to buy tools that will see heavy use for a period of years. I go to Harbor Freight when I'm going to use something once or rarely. Harbor Freight tools are practically disposable they're so cheap. The same goes with Behringer. Buy what you need, save up for better immediately IME.

[3506string]

According to Thomann behringer has one of the lowest failure rates among their sellers. .73% 3 year defect rating. They also are the top manufacturer on their site.

Behringer - Thomann UK Cyberstore

[Bassamatic]

The Behringer line level gear is not too bad, since it is all copied off some other good design, and as long it is not abused, should have an average life. Anything with power though - I'd stay FAR away. You cannot cut corners with a power amp.