DJM 900 NXS2 vs DJM A9: Which Should You Use?

Is the DJM A9 better than the DJM 900 NXS2 (Nexus 2)?

Yes. The DJM A9 is Pioneer's newer club mixer and improves on the DJM 900 NXS2 in sound, monitoring and connectivity. But the layout is familiar, so a DJ who knows the 900 NXS2 will be at home on the A9 straight away.

Here's where they actually differ:

• Sound. The A9 has ESS Technology 32 bit converters on its channel inputs and its master and booth outputs, so the booth hears what the dance floor hears. The 900 NXS2 runs Pioneer's 64 bit mixing processor and still sounds great in a club.
• Headphones. The A9 has two independent headphone outputs, each with its own cue buttons, volume and mix balance, so back to back DJs can cue up without a fight. The 900 NXS2 has a single headphone cue.
• Changeovers. The A9 has two sets of USB B and USB C ports, so two DJs can each plug in a laptop running Rekordbox or Serato.
• Bluetooth. The A9 has a Bluetooth input you can route to any channel, with all the mixer's effects. The 900 NXS2 doesn't have Bluetooth.
• Effects. The A9 has what we reckon are the best sounding beat FX Pioneer has made, and its Sound Color FX add a Center Lock feature that stops each knob at the centre. It also has a 2 band booth EQ.
• Size. The A9 is a little wider and weighs 10.2 kg, so check the booth if it was built around a 900 NXS2.

[CONFIRM WITH MIKE: which mixer he'd use for a club night, and why]

When should you book the DJM 900 NXS2?

Book the 900 NXS2 when the rider asks for it, when the venue has players but a cooked mixer, or when a DJ is bringing their own turntables or a DVS rig.

DJ mixer hire usually comes down to one mixer, and for the last decade this has been it. Every DJ who's played a club can run it without looking down. It has beat FX, Sound Color FX, independent send and return, and Pro DJ Link that connects up to four players to one music source through the ethernet switch in the case. A built in USB sound card runs Rekordbox, Serato or Traktor off one cable, and the two USB ports on top let the next DJ plug in without stopping the music.

It's mixer only, so book players separately, like the Pioneer CDJ 2000 NXS2 or CDJ 3000.

When should you book the DJM A9?

Book the A9 when the rider says A9, when it's a touring or headline DJ, or when two DJs are going back to back and both need to cue.

This is the gold standard Pioneer booth, the one every touring DJ asks for and the one that makes the headliner stop checking the rider. Our CDJ 3000 and DJM A9 console comes cabled and networked in flight cases, with the players linked over ethernet so one USB runs both decks. The same console goes out on our own club and activation jobs.

Not sure which players to pair it with? Our comparison of the CDJ 2000 NXS2 vs CDJ 3000 covers that.

Is the DJM A9 worth it over the DJM 900 NXS2?

For a headliner, a rider or a back to back set, yes. For a regular club night where the DJ already knows the 900 NXS2, the difference is smaller than the upgrade from the original 900 Nexus to the NXS2.

That's why the A9 is taking over more and more club booths while the 900 NXS2 stays the safe, familiar choice. If you're hiring, let the rider decide. If there isn't one, tell us the gig and we'll point you at the right setup.

What about the DJM S9?

The Pioneer DJM S9 is a different tool. It's a two channel battle mixer built for scratch and turntablist sets, with customisable performance pads and smooth, responsive faders. If your DJ scratches, it's the one. For a four channel club setup, stick with the 900 NXS2 or the A9.

Questions we get asked