Behringer Xenyx 802 Review

Our Thoughts on the Behringer Xenyx 802

Are you thinking about getting the Behringer Xenyx 802 because someone told you that it’s affordable and portable, too? Then make sure that you read this from start to finish — we will talk about some of the most important matters about the mixer that you need to know about before deciding to buy it.


Key Features

Behringer is a German manufacturer of audio equipment founded by a Swiss engineer back in the late 80s. These days, it’s one of the most reputable producers of premium music products. It doesn’t come as a surprise why the Behringer Xenyx 802 is capable of impressing with its performance and features, such as:

  • Analog mixers. In a world where digital mixers come aplenty, the Xenyx 802’s maker has decided to equip the unit with analog mixers. No, it’s not just to keep the price tag within everyone’s means. Such is also for making sure that noise is kept to a minimum even at higher volumes.
  • British equalizer. Put simply, the Behringer Xenyx 802 wants to emulate the musical quality of the sounds of equalizer circuits employed by mixers that came out in England back in the 60s and 70s. This is why the unit comes with the so-called British equalizer. These days, by the way, more and more manufacturers of mixers and other related devices are opting for British equalizer.
  • Multiple inputs and outputs. It’s true that the product is more on the compact and budget side of things. It doesn’t mean, however, that it falls flat in terms of performance. For instance, there are enough inputs and outputs that make it possible for the Xenyx 802 to be used with a range of audio equipment.

What We Like

As earlier mentioned, the Behringer Xenyx 802 comes in a compact size. Despite this, it carries enough features that allow its user to enjoy certain possibilities that can only be provided by larger and more complex mixers. Here are the things that we really like about this Behringer offering:

  • Easy operation. Sometimes announcements and musical performances have to be done without any delay. This is when the unit’s user-friendliness comes in very handy. Needless to say, the Xenyx 802 is suited for use in intimate settings like a conference room or coffee shop where keeping the crowd waiting isn’t an option.
  • Great mic preamps. There is one thing that the Xenyx 802 is known to excel at, and it’s providing high-quality sound. This is why vocals tend to sound very crisp and clean. Behringer is generous enough to have also thrown in 130 dB of dynamic range, as well as a bandwidth that goes from below 10 Hz to above 200 kHz.
  • Compact and lightweight. The minute we took the Behringer Xenyx 802 out of the box, we couldn’t help but be amazed by its compact size. What’s even more delightfully surprising is the unit’s weight — it tips the scale at a little over 2 lbs only, which makes it a highly portable mixer.

Who is This Product Best Suited To

It’s true that the available features of the Xenyx 802 by Behringer are impressive enough. In fact, they may even surpass expectations. However, still the unit lacks some of the bells and whistles found in more advanced and comprehensive mixers, and that’s why the product is more suitable for smaller venues only.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you can no longer try to push the envelope — Behringer Xenyx 802 provides enough outputs that allow for expansion of its capabilities by means of external audio components. Because it’s small and lightweight, the unit is ideal for those who are always on the move.

What Customers are Saying

Most customers who bought the Behringer Xenyx 802 are beginners. This doesn’t really come as a surprise since it’s on the affordable side of the fence, plus the features and tools it has are somewhat limited. However, they confirm that they’re happy with their purchase as it gives them exactly what they need.

Unfortunately, there are a few things about the Xenyx 802 that some consumers, including newbies in the world of mixer use, are complaining about. For instance, many of them have noted that they are unable to use the unit with their headphones while it’s connected to their computers via USB.

The Bottom Line

The Behringer Xenyx 802 is an excellent performer, albeit it’s more geared towards consumers who do not need a lot of features as they would likely to use their mixers in smaller venues or more intimate settings.

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