[SOLVED] XDJ -Aero vs. DDJ-SX vs. CDJ-2000 nexus DJM-900 Combo

I'm not gonna give you a recommendation of what to buy, but you need to keep the following things in mind.

Comparing the XDJ to the DDJ and Nexus combo is not fair. It’s nothing like the other two options.

I just got the XDJ only because of the fact that it doesn’t need a laptop (I know, you can use it with one). After only two days, and not because of the problems I’m experiencing, I already regret buying it. Please note that this is my opinion, but I’ll try to explain it with pros and cons.

Pioneer XDJ-Aero

Pros:

Portable

No need for a laptop

Wifi

BPM up to tenths behind the decimal (128,4)

High/Low filter per channel

Cons:

No waveforms

No hot cues

No slipmode

No fader start

No jog mode (only vinyl)

No booth out

Same price as the DDJ-SX

Playing a sample uses a deck (two decks playing and a sample is no go!)

No seamless switching between beat controls (x-pad option). You can’t go from ¼ to 1

Automix doesn’t mix the songs. It just waits until the song is done and then starts the other deck. Should have been called autostart

The bag will set you back a whopping € 180,00!!!!

In my opinion this is a very nice DJ system though. It is very easy to set-up and has all the features you’ll need as a starting DJ. I’ve had the Numark IDJ3 and I think you should look at the XDJ as a very luxury equivalent.  

Pioneer DDJ-SX

Pros: Pfff, where to start :)

Four deck controller

Dual deck mode

Slip mode (love this option)

Needle search

Performance pads

Greet autoloop functions

Cons:

It needs a laptop

Maybe a bit too hard to understand/learn? (Serato has an Incredible amounth of options)

No x-pad

Honestly, I can’t think of a controller I want more than this one! It looks great, has a million option (maybe a bit too much though) and is in my opinion the best controller to buy right now. The only reason I got the XDJ is because my laptop isn’t good enough for Serato and the fact that it is soooo hard to get right now.

CDJ-2000 nexus DJM-900 Combo

Pros:

The best of the best

Huge platters

Full color lcd display

Sound color effects

Slip mode

Big waveform

Cons:

It’s a huge combo

Sound color effect can’t be independently assigned to the channels

Heavy, even without flight cases (which you really want/need!)

Needs a network switch to connect everything to each other (pro DJ link)

I’ve had this set for a little more than a month to test and it was great. It has everything a DJ wants, but it’s a pain in the *ss to carry around. I loved the DJM-900 mixer, especially the x-pad which lets you do things you couldn’t do before.

Just my 50 cents of input. Over to the real pro’s :)

Thanks Peter,

Just as you are explaining I went over the pro's and con's as I see them and do agree with most of how you described them. I have decided, and in fact ordered today the CDJ-2000 nexus DJM-900 Combo!

The main decision factor is that I am coming from a CDJ 1000 background and only want to go forward with all functionalities and would avoid disappointment after a first initial excitement realizing I want more. I decided to spend more money in order to get the best out there.

The XDJ-Aero was, and still is, very tempting to me because of it's portability and RB incorporation however I would not want to miss out on some of the limitations the full setup has to offer.

DDJ-SX looks like a very solid piece of DJ equipment but definitely more for the Serato lover. I purchased Serato since it was first launched but for some reason never got to like it and hardly used it so I would not want to force myself using Serato Live or any other programs out there.

Now I took a hit in spending more money and the fact that the setup is taking a lot of space in my house but believe I will enjoy for the years to come this quality piece of high end music equipment. I can still purchase a XDJ-Aero in the future to compliment my setup and use for gigs where no CDJ-2000 equipment is available.

Can't wait for it to arrive and start rocking da house!

Well, looking at you're past (CDJ-1000 and DJM-800) I'm not surprised you went for this option. Combined with the EFX-1000 you already have you got yourself probably the best set one can wish for!

I went from cdj1000 mk3s and xone22 to the xdj aero and I couldn't be happier.

Rekordbox, loops, effects and the ability to record my mixes straight to USB all in one solid controller.

I love it.

I also went from 1000mk3 's DJM800 to XDJ-Aero W, couldn't be happier. I carry it along in the special XDJ bag at the places where there are no CDJ2000 available. Got my music on my Samsung Galaxy Note 2, and USB Sticks as backup. I finally stopped playing from CD's.

This saves me precious time (burning and prepping CD's), and also my back from carrieing 2/3 Flightcases and my CD Trolley.

Love IT !!!

Hi Paulo1976 & Ronn,

Great to hear you are happy with the move to XDJ-Aero, you both have very valid points why this piece of machine drawn my attention. Look forward to add this as part of my next upgrade~!

Cheers

Hi Sankroo.. your welcome.. I have added a picture of my Aero .. forgot to mention that I also have a cdj350-W.. some ocasions were you really need a cd player, I bring it along aswell. It's very smal fits in a backpack, and supports Rekordbox USB sticks and CD's..

You guys know you can take a cdj 2000 and plug in to the DDJ-SX, so you got a little of both to play with :)