Behringer gear isn't that bad. In my school theater we have a digital processing unit from Behringer. It does what it's supposed to. It EQ's and delays the balcony fills. I also keep a measurement mic permanently patched into it and it makes a fine real time analyzer. Is it top notch? No. Is it cheap? Yes. Does it work for those who are on a budget? Yes.
That having been said, I've worked with several Berhinger mixers that have infuriated me. They've all been small (a 12 and a 16
channel if I remember correctly). Unfortunately they've been plagued with crosstalk at higher levels. And yes the gain structure was solid. As far as reliability goes, I haven't worked enough with the Behringer mixers to experience any real problems. I've had a Mackie 1604 give up the ghost on me when its power supply died unexpectedly during an open dress rehearsal (that incident proved which actors were using the body mics as a crutch), but never anything with the Behringers. My personal favorite mixers are the two Crest Audio X-rack 20's we have in my school's mainstage theater. They're rock solid and they sound great. That's all I have to say on Behringer.