Behringer builds affordable versions of classic synthesizers and drum machines, many of them modeled closely on instruments from Moog, ARP, Oberheim, Korg, Roland and Sequential. Several of the original makers sell their own reissues today, so we can compare the two directly at Thomann's prices.
Behringer vs the originals on sale today
| Behringer | Price | Original maker's model | Price | Behringer costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model D | $224 | Moog Minimoog Model D (Tribute Edition) | $5,400 | 4% |
| Pro-800 | $280 | Sequential Prophet 5 Module | $3,183 | 9% |
| UB-Xa D | $730 | Oberheim OB-X8 Desktop | $4,271 | 17% |
| 2600 | $374 | ARP 2600 desktop reissue | $1,124 | 33% |
| RD-8 MKII | $269 | Roland TR-8S | $785 | 34% |
| K-2 MKII | $213 | Korg MS-20 mini | $618 | 34% |
Prices are Thomann's on October 19, 2026. The pairs aren't exact twins: the Pro-800 is modeled on the Prophet-600, not the Prophet-5, the TR-8S is digital while the RD-8 is analog, and the Minimoog listed is a limited oak edition.
How Behringer moves the whole market
Of the 462 synthesizers, synth modules and drum machines Thomann had in stock, 65 were Behringer, at a median price of $269. The median of all the others was $843. That's why the median analog synth is now cheaper than the median digital one (see analog vs digital synth).
The pairs
Behringer Model D, $222
A desktop analog synth with three VCOs and a 24 dB ladder filter, in the classic Minimoog layout. #64 of 147 sound modules.
Moog Minimoog Model D Tribute Edition, $5,361
Moog's own Minimoog, here as a limited edition in an oak case with a 44-key Fatar keyboard. #150 of 213 general synthesizers.
Behringer 2600, $371
Behringer's version of the ARP 2600 semi-modular. #62 of 147 sound modules.
Behringer K-2 MKII, $211
A desktop take on the Korg MS-20. #64 of 147 sound modules.
Korg MS-20 mini, $613
Korg's own smaller reissue of its 1978 MS-20, with a keyboard. #29 of 213 general synthesizers.
Behringer RD-8 MKII, $267
An analog drum machine in the spirit of the TR-808. #18 of 59 drum machines.
Questions
Are Behringer synths as good as the originals?
They're close in circuit design and much cheaper; build quality, keyboards and resale value are where originals usually win.
Why are Behringer synths so cheap?
Large-scale production, and designs that build on circuits from the 1970s and 1980s.
How we measured. Every synthesizer, synth module and drum machine Thomann listed as in stock on October 19, 2026 (462), by brand, converted from euros at the European Central Bank rate. Pairs show the original maker's model closest to each Behringer that was on sale that day. Products show today's price and rank, updated every night.
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Denis Kataev runs AudioFu. Every night the site records the prices of more than 38,000 instruments and studio tools at Thomann, and he writes about what those numbers show: what got cheaper, what just arrived, and which discounts are real.
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