Behringer
Behringer S16 Digital Stage Box
Best digital stage box for professional live sound engineers.
The Behringer S16 is a professional digital stage box designed to simplify your audio setup with remote I/O capabilities. This rackmount unit features 16 Midas-designed microphone preamplifiers for pristine audio capture. It utilizes AES50 networking for reliable digital connectivity, offering flexible system expansion. With robust construction and essential features like +48V phantom power, the S16 ensures dependable performance and efficient, streamlined wiring for modern audio engineers in live or studio environments.
$709.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
22
/ 87
#22 in Microphone Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-56%
Below average
Form Factor
Rackmount
/ Rackmount
Who it's for
- Sound technicians seeking fast, simplified stage cabling
- Budget-conscious venues needing professional digital connectivity
- Engineers requiring recallable, high-fidelity Midas sound
Who should skip it
- Users invested in non-Behringer digital mixing consoles
- Touring professionals demanding rugged, road-ready hardware
- Live sound operators needing quick, field-serviceable power solutions
Performance breakdown
Preamp Fidelity
Midas-designed circuitry delivers clean, professional gain for demanding live sound applications.
Connectivity Reliability
AES50 networking ensures a rock-solid, low-latency digital connection between stage and console.
Setup Efficiency
Drastically reduces stage clutter by replacing bulky analog snakes with single cables.
Build Durability
Rugged rackmount chassis stands up to the rigors of frequent touring life.
System Scalability
Easily expand your I/O capacity by daisy-chaining multiple units via digital ports.
Phantom Power Stability
Consistent 48V delivery provides reliable power for sensitive condenser microphone arrays.
Key Specs
Form Factor
Rackmount
Phantom Power
48V
Analog Input Connector Type
XLR
Analog Output Connector Type
XLR
Circuit Type
Solid State
Number of Channels
16
Digital Output Interface
AES/EBU
16 fully programmable Midas-designed microphone preamplifiers
Features
- Remote I/O via digital networking
- Streamlines stage cabling and setup
- Robust rackmount construction
- Supports digital audio networking
- 16 Midas-designed preamps
- AES50 networking for reliable connectivity
- Provides +48V phantom power
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Behringer S16 Digital Stage Box for its exceptional value and reliability within the X32 and M32 ecosystems. The core sentiment focuses on how this unit dramatically simplifies stage setup by replacing heavy analog snakes with a single, dependable Cat5e cable using AES50. Users consistently highlight the professional quality delivered by the 16 Midas designed preamps, noting their clean and transparent audio performance far exceeds expectations for the price point. The unit is frequently described as a stable, set it and forget it component perfect for demanding live sound environments. Overall, the S16 is viewed as a highly cost effective solution that brings professional digital networking within reach for many users.
Know before you buy
Yes, for reliable performance, you should use shielded Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables with EtherCON connectors. Using high-quality, shielded cabling is essential to prevent interference and ensure a stable digital connection.
The S16 is designed primarily for use with Behringer X32 and Midas M32 series consoles via the AES50 protocol. It is not a universal stage box and will not function with consoles that do not support the AES50 digital networking standard.
The S16 features 16 Midas-designed preamplifiers, which are widely regarded for their transparency and low-noise performance. They offer a high-quality sound profile consistent with the Midas-designed preamps found in the X32 and M32 ecosystems.
Yes, the S16 includes dual AES50 ports, allowing you to daisy-chain multiple units to expand your total input and output count. This is a common configuration for larger setups that require more than 16 channels.
Yes, the S16 provides +48V phantom power, which can be individually toggled for each of the 16 XLR inputs. This allows you to safely use a mix of condenser and dynamic microphones simultaneously.
Absolutely. The unit is built with a rugged, rackmount-ready chassis designed to withstand the rigors of touring and permanent installation in studio or live sound racks.
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