Behringer Truth B2031
Our Score:	Imaging	5
D+	Dynamic Performance	5
	Frequency Response	4
	High Volume	6
	Sound Quality	5
	Price / Performance	9.5
	Overall	68 D+
	List price	Approx $799/pr
	Web site	http://www.behringer.de

The Behringer Truth B2031 is a biamplified monitor featuring an 8" polycarbonate woofer and a 1" ferrofluid-cooled titanium tweeter. A 150 watt amplifier drives the bass speaker while a 75 watt amplifier powers the tweeter. The tweeter is mounted into a computer-designed waveguide horn to improve imaging and time alignment. The cabinet is a ported design that offers a pair of elongated ports to either side of the tweeter. The Behringer B2031 is surprisingly similar to that of the similarly-named Genelec 1031, with its long, narrow ports and almost identical dimensions. Maybe that's not so surprising given Behringer's proclivity for building products that bear uncanny resemblances to their competitors' products.

The Truth features a number of flexible equalization options. A low-cut option is provided if you wish to use the Truth with a subwoofer or just prefer mixing without the extended low end. Four settings are available: 50 Hz (no cut), 65 Hz, 80 Hz, and 100 Hz. This feature gave the Truth more flexibility for use with a subwoofer than the other speakers we tested. A low-shelf EQ is provided to compensate for wall proximity or room modes. The low-shelf offers a flat setting, as well as cuts of 2 dB, 4 dB, and 8 dB below 80 Hz. A high-shelf EQ offers a flat setting, a +2 dB boost, and –2 dB and –4 dB cuts.

Connections are flexible with available TRS and XLR jacks. An input trim provides an additional –5 dB / +5 dB gain trim. The speaker includes an Auto-On feature that turns the speaker on as soon as a signal is detected. You'll want to use the Auto-On feature because the power switches for the speakers are in the back on the recessed portion of the panel. We would have preferred front-mounted power switches.

Since this is Behringer's first entry into the loudspeaker market, I wasn't sure what to expect. Boy was I surprised. At first blush, the speaker provided ample, punchy bass, and brilliant treble – it made a great first impression. Over time, though, my enthusiasm waned.

Extended low bass was somewhat lacking in this speaker. Also I found that on loud program material, the woofer was more likely to rattle than most of the other speakers in our comparison. Port chuff was present but not horrible, just audible only on the most bass-heavy material. However, the speaker's hyped bass response would make it difficult to make wise judgments on bass levels in a mix.

What was worse, the treble was too harsh for my tastes. I found myself dialing the tweeter down –2 dB at first, and –4 dB later. Even with the treble obviously muted, the tweeter performance was still strangely harsh. Over a short period of time I found this speaker to be just too fatiguing to get accurate mixes over the long haul. In a side by side comparison with the Event 20/20 bas (the nearest competitor, pricewise), the Truths were more harsh on all program material we listened to.

Even with the tweeter turned so far down, listening to vocal-rich material revealed that vocals seemed to move too far forward in the mix, particularly with female vocalists. My unproven assumption is that an anomaly in the crossover was accentuating the vocal harmonics, since it didn't sound as though the speakers had too much midrange presence. At any rate, it might a bit difficult to judge relative vocal balance on some vocalists. Your mileage may vary.

All things considered, Behringer's first foray into the nearfield market is a decent move. I would have liked a smoother midrange and more accurate bass performance. In the end, I did not think that the Behringers low price justified their sound quality. Spend a little more money, and get a lot more speaker.