Denon DJ PRIME 4 vs. Pioneer XDJ-XZ – two high-end standalone DJ systems that are still easy to find on the used market. Both now have newer counterparts, with the XDJ-AZ succeeding the XDJ-XZ and the PRIME 4+ building on the original PRIME 4. Still, if you’re choosing between these two older models, there are some pretty major differences worth knowing about.
Pioneer XDJ-XZ vs. Denon DJ PRIME 4 – full specification comparison
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Main differences + control layout
The most important differences between the Pioneer XDJ-XZ and the Denon DJ Prime 4 are:
- Better quality larger screen and more efficient UI on the Denon DJ Prime 4.
- Full-size 206 mm jog wheels on the Pioneer XDJ-XZ vs. smaller 6-inch capacitive platters on the Denon DJ Prime 4.
- Pioneer XDJ-XZ supports only 2 mixer channels in standalone mode.
- XDJ-XZ weighs 28 lb (13 kg), while the Denon DJ Prime 4 weighs around 21.34 lb (9.67 kg).
- Denon DJ Prime 4 is also a bit smaller than the XDJ-XZ.
You might also like: Pioneer DDJ-1000 vs. XDJ-XZ (Detailed Comparison)
Mixer sections
The mixer sections on both devices are very similar in terms of functionality and layout. One major difference would be that the Denon DJ Prime features FX assign buttons over each mixer channel and doesn’t have a Beat FX strip because of the way audio FX work on this unit (more on that in a short while).
Another small layout difference is the placement of the master volume indicators which on the Prime 4 are located in the middle of the mixer, while on the Pioneer XDJ-XZ they can be found in the master volume & EQ control section in the top right of the controller.
Denon DJ Prime 4 also features physical buttons used for accessing the decks 3 and 4, as it allows you to utilize all 4 mixer channels in the standalone mode. Pioneer XDJ-XZ doesn’t have additional physical buttons for deck switching.
Besides the mixer section control differences, an important detail to note is that the Denon DJ Prime 4 features dedicated buttons for live beat grid edits on each deck.
FX sections
The Pioneer XDJ-XZ has its Sound Color FX and a classic Beat FX strip designed after the Pioneer DJM-900NXS2 mixer.
A great feature on the Pioneer XDJ-XZ is the audio FX frequency isolation control consisting of three buttons: low, mid and hi. It enables you to choose which frequencies your chosen active effect should affect. On Denon DJ Prime 4 there is no such function available.
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Denon DJ Prime 4 features a built in FX section that in a way resembles a classic FX control scheme made with Serato DJ controllers in mind (such as the one present on the Pioneer DDJ-SX series).
Prime 4 also has the equivalent of the Pioneer’s Sound Color FX on board – the Sweep FX which can be controlled using dedicated FX selection buttons on the mixer and the channel filter knobs.
Over the FX parameter control knobs on the Denon DJ Prime (which are located on top of each deck) you can find small LCD screens that display the current active effect or parameter that is being modified. This is a really nice touch.
Because of the way the FX sections are implemented on these devices, on the Pioneer XDJ-XZ you can have up to 2 FX active at the same time (one from the Beat FX section and one from the Sound Color FX section).
On the Denon DJ PRIME 4, you have two separate BPM FX engines plus the mixer Sweep FX, so you can layer multiple effects without relying on software.
- Pioneer XDJ-XZ – 6 Sound Color FX + 14 Beat FX + X-pad and EQ control
- Denon DJ Prime 4 – 4 Sweep FX + 14 Denon Beat FX
Check out the official Denon DJ Prime 4 FX demo on the official Denon DJ YouTube channel here.
Performance pads
Both devices feature 8 RGB performance pads with access to following pad modes:
- Pioneer XDJ-XZ – Hot Cue, Beat Loop, Slip Loop, Beat Jump
- Denon DJ Prime 4 – Hot Cue, Loop, Roll, Slicer, Slicer Loop
Current Engine DJ versions also let the original PRIME 4 play 4-part Stems after purchasing the one-time Engine Stems unlock and preparing the tracks in Engine DJ Desktop.
Standalone features
While both these devices are capable of fully standalone operation, only the Denon DJ Prime 4 lets you use all 4 channels while operating in the standalone mode. On the Pioneer XDJ-XZ you can utilize only 2 mixer channels for track playback when you’re not connected to your computer.
When it comes to audio file sources, while the Pioneer XDJ-XZ relies solely on USB devices, on the Denon DJ Prime 4 you can play your tracks from USB drives, SD cards and an internally mounted hard drive (Prime 4 features a drive bay on its bottom where after removing a few screws you can place a hard drive with your song library on it).
If you’re also considering the smaller 2-channel Pioneer option, I’ve compared the XDJ-RX3 directly with the XDJ-XZ here.
Another major thing is that on the Denon DJ Prime 4 you can freely analyze and sort your tracks on the device in standalone mode, but it’s not possible on the XDJ-XZ.
To analyze your tracks and manage your playlists on the XDJ-XZ you have to connect it to your computer, or export your tracks to a USB storage device using Rekordbox software.
Built-in Wi-Fi and streaming services on the Denon DJ PRIME 4
Denon DJ PRIME 4 features built-in Wi-Fi and lets you access supported streaming services directly from its touchscreen.
The original PRIME 4 supports services including Beatport/Beatsource, SoundCloud Go+ and TIDAL, as well as Dropbox for your own cloud-stored library.
Pioneer XDJ-XZ on the other hand doesn’t have Wi-Fi at all, so it doesn’t offer standalone music streaming.
The touch displays
7 inch touch display featured on the Pioneer XDJ-XZ is the same screen that you might know from the Pioneer CDJ-2000NXS players.
Sadly, the touch screen on the XDJ-XZ does not support multi touch nor on screen gestures like the Denon DJ Prime 4 does.
The 10.1-inch display on the Denon DJ PRIME 4 is, in my opinion, much nicer to use. The UI also feels more responsive and makes better use of the larger screen.
The screen on the Denon DJ Prime 4 is definitely one of the strongest points of this device.
Jog wheel differences
Pioneer XDJ-XZ features full-size jog wheels (technically the same as ones present on the Pioneer CDJ-2000NXS players), while the Denon DJ PRIME 4 uses smaller capacitive platters.
Both units have built-in jog displays with a digital needle-position indicator, although the XDJ-XZ can also display additional track information on each platter.
Jog wheels on the Prime 4 also have backlit edges with customizable color schemes which is a nice touch overall.
You can freely adjust the tension of each jog wheel platter on the Pioneer XDJ-XZ using two dedicated knobs. On Denon DJ Prime 4 unfortunately, there is no jog wheel tension adjust control.
| Pioneer XDJ-XZ on Ebay: |
| Denon DJ Prime 4 on Ebay: |
Software compatibility
The XDJ-XZ is a Hardware Unlock device for Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro when connected to a computer. In standalone mode, it plays Rekordbox-prepared music directly from USB drives.
The Prime 4 runs Engine OS in standalone mode. When connected to a computer it can also be used with Serato DJ Pro and VirtualDJ.
The Prime 4 doesn’t control Rekordbox as DJ software, but it can read Rekordbox-prepared USB and SD media and import playlists and cue information for standalone use.
Inputs & Outputs
XDJ-XZ inputs and outputs:
| Inputs | – 2x LINE (RCA) – 2x PHONO (RCA) – 1x AUX (RCA) – 2x MIC (XLR & 1/4 inch TRS Jack) |
|---|---|
| Other | – 3x LAN (100Base TX) – 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) |
Denon DJ Prime 4 inputs and outputs:
| Inputs | – 4x LINE (RCA) – including 2x switchable LINE/PHONO – 2x MIC (XLR & 1/4 inch TRS Jack) |
|---|---|
| Other | – 4x USB (for USB drives, 5V, 1A) – 1x USB (for computer connection) – 1x Ethernet |
| Outputs | – 2x MASTER (XLR, RCA) – 1x BOOTH (XLR) – 1x ZONE (XLR) – 2x PHONES (1/4-inch stereo jack, 1/8-inch stereo mini-jack) |
While the Pioneer XDJ-XZ allows you to connect external audio devices to just mixer channels 3 and 4, the Denon DJ Prime 4 has separate audio inputs (RCA connections) for each of the 4 mixer channels.
Another difference is that the Denon DJ Prime 4 features XLR booth outputs and the Pioneer XDJ-XZ – TRS Jack booth outputs.
In terms of microphone input there are no major differences here, however note that the Pioneer XDJ-XZ has a nice additional feature on board – the Feedback Reducer function which is not present on the Prime 4.
Moreover, on the XDJ-XZ, by using the ethernet connection, you are able to connect your Pioneer CDJ players to your device to expand your setup by two additional decks.
Zone output on the Denon DJ Prime 4
Denon DJ Prime 4 features a so-called “zone output”. This feature enables you to play an entirely different audio signal on a separate XLR output alongside with your mix already on playing on the main master output.
This means that you can perform in one room, and have another playlist playing automatically on a PA system wired in another room. Neat!
The zone output function is configured from the touch screen and it has a dedicated volume knob and equalizer knobs in the top right section of the Prime 4.
The conclusion – which one is better for you?
Both the Pioneer XDJ-XZ and Denon DJ Prime 4 are still very capable standalone systems. If the main goal is to ditch the laptop completely, I’d still give the original PRIME 4 the edge thanks to its true 4-deck standalone operation, larger multi-touch screen, onboard track analysis, internal drive bay, Wi-Fi, and Zone output.
If you’re interested in another Engine OS option, I’ve also compared the Denon DJ SC Live 4 directly with the Prime 4.
The main thing to keep in mind today is that neither model represents the newest version of its respective line. The XDJ-AZ is the successor to the XDJ-XZ, while the Prime4+ is the newer Denon option. That doesn’t make either of these old units bad buys – it just means the used price matters a lot more now. Rock on!
