Half a Year Later, Is the XDJ-XZ Still Far Behind the Denon DJ Prime 4?
Despite plenty of improvements, Pioneer DJ's newest controller, the XDJ-XZ, still has a number of limitations compared with its direct rival, the Denon Prime 4, which came out half a year earlier.
It has a 4-channel mixer, but the XDJ-XZ can't use all 4 channels independently
What has disappointed people waiting for Pioneer DJ's latest controller is that it can't play 4 channels independently like the Denon Prime 4, even though the XDJ-XZ also has a 4-channel mixer. To play channels 3 and 4 on the XDJ-XZ, you have to connect extra CDJs or a laptop running rekordbox dj (the paid version of rekordbox).
The XDJ-XZ's main screen can only show 2 channels
Not only can it not play 4 channels independently, the XDJ-XZ's main screen doesn't seem ready for 4-channel performance either. The 7-inch main screen can only show track information for 2 channels. The Denon Prime 4's 10-inch screen, meanwhile, can display information for all 4 playing tracks at once.
Other features where the Denon Prime 4 beats the XDJ-XZ
It doesn't stop there: the Denon Prime 4 has other features you won't find on the XDJ-XZ — Wi-Fi to use online music libraries such as Beatport, a dedicated effects knob just for the microphone, a Zone Output that lets you play different music in 2 separate spaces, and support for visual and lighting software such as SoundSwitch, Resolume and more.
So where does the XDJ-XZ beat the Denon Prime 4?
Although it falls behind the Denon Prime 4 in many ways, the XDJ-XZ has its own strong points: bigger jog wheels that make scratching more comfortable, a layout similar to the NXS2 series so DJs don't feel lost when switching gear, and — probably the biggest highlight — 3 master EQ knobs that give DJs more control over tuning the output to suit the venue.
What do you think: XDJ-XZ or Denon Prime 4, which one comes out on top?
The Denon DJ Prime 4 is now widely available at Muse INC.
Source: Viet Nam Sound
