Actually my comment about Behringer was not mythology, it was based on experience with friends' gear. Some of the stuff was great for the price ... even compared to higher priced gear ... but some of it never worked right. If you want to be the quality control department for your electronics manufacturer, then go ahead and save a bill or two. I should also clarify that I am talking about their low-end gear. From what I have seen, Behringer's full-scale desks are quite solid. Probably they are not feeling so much price pressure in that market.
I am using Behringer microphones, by the way; much cheaper than Shure and not so different when used for low-pressure acoustic work. (To mic a rock-and-roll amp, or a screaming metal singer, the Shure is beyond comparison though.) When I bought them I mentally made allowance for having to buy another one if needed, but all 3 have worked fine for over a year (knock knock).
If you are amenable to going a little more money, I really like my Soundcraft powered mixer. Most of the channels take hi/lo-Z inputs, and the preamps have a nice presence. Comparitively, the Behringer preamps sound (to me) a little harsh, like they may be distorting just a bit in the high frequencies. Not likely an issue with loud venues or gravelly voices but definitely noticeable with a clear female voice, like my wife's. The electronic "effects" are cheesy (most are) but I never use them anyhow.
-Glenn