Pioneer XDJ-XZ vs. Pioneer XDJ-RX3 – detailed standalone DJ system comparison. The XDJ-RX3 is still a current 2-channel model, while the XDJ-XZ has now been succeeded by the newer AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ. Still, if you’re choosing between an XDJ-RX3 and XDJ-XZ, there are some pretty important differences between the two.
You might also like: Top 10 Best DJ Controllers With Built-In Screens (Full List)
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Pioneer XDJ-RX3 vs. Pioneer XDJ-XZ – full specification comparison
| Specs |
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Touch display differences
The screen on the Pioneer XDJ-RX3 is a 10.1 inch touch display with a 1280×800px resolution. The GUI on the RX3 is extremely close in terms of visuals and functionality to the one present on the Pioneer CDJ-3000 players – in fact they are almost identical.
Pioneer XDJ-XZ features a simple 7 inch touch screen based on the displays present on older Pioneer CDJ-2000 players. It’s inferior to the new updated screen on the XDJ-RX3 in many places, as it’s based on much older technology.
On the XDJ-RX3, the newer screen gives you features such as Touch Preview, which lets you preview different parts of a track directly from the library without loading it to a deck. The XDJ-XZ does have Needle Search, but it doesn’t have the RX3’s newer Touch Preview and Playlist Bank features.
Also, Pioneer XDJ-RX3 has 2 more touch screen related features to offer: an on-screen X-pad (present on the XDJ-XZ on the FX section) and on-screen FX bank buttons that let you store custom Beat FX configurations (no such thing on the XDJ-XZ).
Touch displays on both the XDJ-XZ and the XDJ-RX3 sadly do not support multi touch, nor on-screen gestures – they are still simple resistive displays. Denon DJ Prime 4 is ahead on Pioneer on this one!
Learn more here: Pioneer XDJ-XZ vs. Denon DJ Prime 4 (Ultimate Comparison)
Mixer sections (and usable mixer channels)
First noticeable difference between the two is that the Pioneer XDJ-XZ features 4 mixer channels, while the XDJ-RX3 only has 2 channels on board.
It’s important to remember though, that on the Pioneer XDJ-XZ you cannot fully utilize all 4 virtual decks while in standalone mode. On the XDJ-XZ only two virtual decks are available to you when you’re not connected to your computer.
Channels 3 and 4 can be used with external audio sources such as media players or turntables, or with compatible Pioneer DJ players connected through Pro DJ Link.
Virtual decks 3 and 4 are available only when you’re using your XDJ-XZ as a DJ controller plugged into your computer with a USB cable.
Pioneer XDJ-RX3 has only 2 mixer channels to begin with, and so it supports only 2 virtual decks.
If the 4-channel mixer and full-size jog wheels are the main reasons you’re considering the XDJ-XZ, I’ve also compared it directly with the DDJ-1000 here.
Available audio FX
The FX sections on the XDJ-RX3 and the XDJ-XZ are almost exactly the same. They both feature 14 Beat FX and 6 Sound Color FX.
Additionally, Pioneer XDJ-XZ has a nice additional feature – FX frequency isolation control. Three buttons placed in the FX section – lo, mid and hi, enable you to control which frequency ranges on an audio channel will be affected by a chosen effect. There are no FX frequency isolation controls on the Pioneer XDJ-RX3.
Pioneer XDJ-RX3 on the other hand has the previously mentioned on-screen X-pad, on-screen FX bank and Release FX pad mode. You can read more about those in my XDJ-RX2 vs. XDJ-RX3 comparison here.
Pioneer XDJ-XZ has a dedicated physical X-pad on the Beat FX strip on the right side of the mixer section.
Performance pads
The performance pads on the XDJ-RX3 and the XDJ-XZ don’t really differ in terms of build quality. Instead, they differ when it comes to their functionalities.
Pioneer XDJ-RX3 in the standalone mode, compared to the XDJ-XZ lets you use some additional pad modes that may be of interest to you. Here are the pad modes available on both units.
The XDJ-RX3 has considerably more standalone pad modes to work with. It also has an additional Release FX pad mode that gives you access to 8 bonus FX to use outside of the unit’s main audio FX section.
Performance pad modes on the Pioneer XDJ-RX3 (standalone mode):
- Hot-cue – A standard hot-cue mode.
- Beat Loop – Auto Loop (1/4 beat to 32 beat one-click loop presets).
- Slip Loop – The same as Roll – momentary loop presets (1/16 beat to 2 beat + 1/3 and 3/4 beat presets).
- Beat Jump – Allows you to jump through the track forwards and backwards by fixed beat intervals.
- Gate Cue – Hot cues that play only for as long as you’re holding down a pad.
- Beat Loop 2 – Features 8 additional irregular timing loops like for example triplets.
- Release FX – 8 additional audio FX (described futher in the next paragraph).
- Beat Jump 2 – Second Beat Jump mode with shorter beat divisions.
Performance pad modes on the Pioneer XDJ-XZ (standalone mode):
- Hot Cue – A standard hot-cue mode.
- Beat Loop – Same as on the XDJ-RX3 (see above).
- Slip Loop – Same as on the XDJ-RX3.
- Beat Jump – Same as on the XDJ-RX3.
XDJ-RX3 and its Release FX pad mode
The Release FX pad mode gives you access to 8 bonus audio FX activated by pressing one of the performance pads.
Here is a brief description of all 8 Release FX that you can use on the Pioneer XDJ-RX3:
- Vinyl break – A classic turntable stop effect.
- Short backspin – Traditional short vinyl backspin.
- Echo out – 1 beat loop slowly decreasing in volume mimicking an echo out transition.
- Mute – Mutes the channel audio output while pressed down.
- Long vinyl break – A longer vinyl break effect.
- Long backspin – Longer backspin equal to several platter rotations.
- Buildup – Sets up a temporary loop progressively changing its length from 1 to 1/16 beat and then releases the effect automatically.
- Ducking – Fades the track by rhythmically ducking its volume on each beat.
| Pioneer XDJ-RX3 on Ebay: |
| Pioneer XDJ-XZ on Ebay: |
Standalone features
As mentioned before, on the XDJ-XZ you can use only 2 mixer channels with virtual decks in the standalone mode. Channels 3 and 4 would be available only if you were to connect additional audio devices such as players or turntables to your unit.
On the XDJ-RX3 the situation is similar, as the device only has 2 mixer channels to begin with, but keep in mind that while you can easily hook up external audio devices to your XDJ-XZ without sacrificing a physical mixer channel, on the XDJ-RX3 it’s simply not possible.
Additionally, Pioneer XDJ-XZ while connected to your computer functions as a full-fledged 4-channel DJ controller – on the XDJ-RX3 you are still stuck with just 2 channels even when it’s plugged into your laptop.
If I had to choose between these two based on standalone performance alone, I’d most probably go with the XDJ-RX3 because of the additional pad modes, smaller size and much better screen-based track management.
Sadly neither of these DJ controllers let you use key shift or key sync features while in standalone mode.
Neither unit performs full onboard track analysis like newer Engine DJ systems do. For full waveform, beatgrid, key and library information, you’ll want to prepare your USB tracks in Rekordbox before the set.
Jog wheels
Pioneer XDJ-RX3 features capacitive jog wheels with built in displays. The XDJ-XZ, on the other hand, has much larger mechanical jog wheels with built-in LCD displays.
The difference between the mechanical and capacitive jog wheels is roughly speaking, that capacitive platters detect when you’re touching their top surface using their touch-sensitive surface, so they will react to every smallest touch, while mechanical jog wheels will only detect that you’re touching them when you press down on them a bit. Choosing one jog wheel type over the other is largely a matter of personal preference.
Both units have jog wheel tension-adjust knobs located next to each platter.
If you’re not familiar with the difference between mechanical and capacitive platters, I’ve explained the main jog wheel types here: Jog Wheel Types Explained – DJ Equipment Guide
Software compatibility
Both the XDJ-RX3 and XDJ-XZ work with Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro when connected to a computer. They act as Hardware Unlock devices, so you don’t need a separate Rekordbox Performance-mode subscription or Serato DJ Pro license while the hardware is connected.
Both units are also officially supported by VirtualDJ with an appropriate VirtualDJ license. Traktor isn’t officially integrated in the same way, although custom MIDI mappings exist.
Inputs and outputs
In terms of inputs and outputs, the Pioneer XDJ-RX3 features an additional 3.5 mm / 1/8-inch portable AUX input which the XDJ-XZ doesn’t have.
The XDJ-XZ on the other hand, has 3 LAN network sockets on board, that let you make use of the Pioneer Pro DJ Link functionality which lets you connect additional Pioneer Players to your XDJ-XZ and fully utilize all 4 mixer channels on the device.
Other than that, the Pioneer XDJ-XZ has a built-in feedback reducer that can help you minimize the mic feedback in difficult conditions.
Both XDJ-RX3 and the XDJ-XZ feature an in-built power supply. This means that you don’t have to worry about carrying an additional power brick when using one of these devices – the only thing you need is a standard power cable.
Inputs and outputs – Pioneer XDJ-RX3:
| Inputs | – 2x LINE (RCA) – 2x PHONO (RCA) – 2x AUX (RCA & 1/8 inch stereo mini-jack) – 2x MIC (XLR & 1/4 inch TRS Jack) |
|---|---|
| USB | – 2x USB A ports – 1x USB B port |
| Outputs | – 2x MASTER (XLR, RCA) – 1x BOOTH (1/4 inch TRS Jack) – 2x PHONES (1/4 inch stereo jack, 1/8 inch stereo mini-jack) |
You might also like: Audio Jack Sizes – Inches To Millimeters – New Jack Cable Guide
Inputs and outputs – Pioneer XDJ-XZ:
| Inputs | – 2x LINE (RCA) – 2x PHONO (RCA) – 1x AUX (RCA) – 2x MIC (XLR & 1/4 inch TRS Jack) |
|---|---|
| LAN | – 3x (100Base TX) |
| USB | – 2x USB A ports – 1x USB B port |
| Outputs | – 2x MASTER (XLR, RCA) – 1x BOOTH (1/4 inch TRS Jack) – 2x PHONES (1/4 inch stereo jack, 1/8 inch stereo mini-jack) – 1x SEND (1/4 inch TRS Jack) |
The conclusion – which one should you get?
The XDJ-RX3 and XDJ-XZ still make sense for quite different reasons. I’d go with the RX3 if you want the better screen, smaller size, more standalone pad modes and a simpler 2-channel all-in-one setup.
The XDJ-XZ makes more sense if you specifically want its full-size mechanical jog wheels, 4-channel mixer, Pro DJ Link support, extra external-input flexibility and the more club-like physical layout.
The one major thing to keep in mind today is that the XDJ-XZ has now been succeeded by the XDJ-AZ. If you’re buying brand new at this price level, I’d definitely compare the AZ before committing to an XZ. If you’re buying used, however, the XDJ-XZ can still be a very capable option at the right price.
If you want to know more, be sure to check our detailed comparison between the XDJ-RX2 and the XDJ-RX3!
