The more bands of EQ you have, then the narrower the frequency they operate. If you have to pull one fader down to say -8dB on a 31/23 band graphic, then that effects about 1/3 of an octave, pull the same band down on a 15- band graphic and you are affecting 2/3 of an octave. This can make a big difference to the sound. Ideally, the more bands you can have when notching out feedback the better - but there is a practical limit (in terms of being able to identify whch slider should be operated when feedback suddenly occurs) and 31/32 bands is the best compromise.

The automatic feedback destroyers are parametric EQ devices and can have notches that go as narrow as 1/60th of an octave so that minimal colouration of the sound is made. However these devices rarely pick a band that narrow and if left in auto mode have a tendency to widen the band as time goes by - which can totally mess the sound up.

So I thing everyone else will also recommend you to go for 31-band graphics. There are 31 band EQs with the power switch on the front (if that is vital to you) so have a bit more of a look around. You may get away with a 15-band graphic for gentle FOH sound balance adjustment but it will still be too crude to deal with troublesome room modes.

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