DENON DJ X1850 PRIME vs. PIONEER DJ DJM-750MKII Sound Comparison (General Sound, EQ, Filter)

In this video, I compare the sound of the Denon DJ X1850 Prime mixer against the Pioneer DJ DJM-750 MKII. It's not about winning or to be better, but to give you an idea on how they sound compared side-by-side. Therefore I punt on one of my track to the two decks of my Denon DJ SC5000M, beat-matched the decks and fed one deck output in the Denon mixer and the other in the Pioneer. So same song, same source, different mixers.
To show the differences I played around with the EQ and Filter and compared each of the settings.
This is not a sponsored video - it's my stuff, bought from my money and I'm doing this for fun and education :-) (just saying)
The hardware I used:
Denon DJ X1850 Prime
Denon DJ SC5000M
Pioneer DJ DJM-750 MKII
Behringer X18 Air Audio Interface
Logitech 930e Webcam (overhead)
AKG 3000 Microphone for the voice
The video was recorded with OBS.
Cutting was done in iMovie.
Sound recorded in Ableton Live. The voice was manipulated, the sounds from the mixers are original without further tweaking.
The track used is my own! It's called "This is" from the EP "This is" and can be found here: open.spotify.com/track/3N8BFv...
You can find my music here:
open.spotify.com/artist/6JPfX...
tidal.com/browse/artist/9410831

[@dj_rushcity_mix6382]

Thanks for this video, I found it very useful

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@carlocinelli6814]

A question the audio test the Denon uses digital connections and Pioneer? the Denon with analog rca sounds much better than the digital ones. the frequency curve controls on the Denon has assignable frequencies!

[@wambydenis]

Very good comparison video, thank you! I found it trying to make a decision between DJM-750MKII,DJX1850 and Xone PX5. Still not decided yet, but I think after this video, the pioneer goes out for me...even thought the comparison is not 100% relevant in terms of overall sound quality because of the input level are different on the 2 mixers

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Thanks for the feedback! Cool, that it helped you. The Pioneer by now is kind of overpriced... Solid, sure. But Denon is pumping out good Firmware updates every couple of month with nice features. The last from this week contained a broadcasting feature to connect the x1850 directly via USB to OBS (the Master out is transfered). Super nice. Seems like Denon Really listenes to its users. The Xone models were always kind of on my gear list, but for whatever reason never made it in my setup. 🤷‍♂️

[@wambydenis]

@@NewElectronicFrontier what’s your tought regarding PX5?

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

I had it on the list back when I bought the 750 mk2. I guess its a nice piece of gear. However I would prefer the 92 or 96 (ok, different price point). I can't remember why, but I kind of do not like the px models. But that is not based on any good reasons - more personal opinion. The question is also a bit what gear you want to put into the mixer. I had pioneer players back then - that's why I also landed with the Pioneer mixer. But I didn't like the Pioneer upgrade path (I had the xdj 700 players), because for their feature set I think the players are way overpriced. If you are independent check the px5. If you think about denon players as well - definitely go for the x1850. Use it with DVS? Also go for the Denon (it can be used with Serato, however I made it ru. With traktor and rekordbox as well). So Really a hard question... But: IMHO you can't do much wrong with the Denon. Superior sound, superior features. 🤷‍♂️😬

[@wambydenis]

@@NewElectronicFrontier Thanks! appreciate your answers! :) Once I decide I will build a case for my gear as well and upload a video. If you'd like you can subscribe to my channel, I'm posting now and then a mixture of videos from a wider range (woodcrafts, music, electronics, automobiles - planning a nice series about autonomous driving, farming simulator). Cheers!

[@GAMEOVER-wu7gt]

@@NewElectronicFrontier precio superior se te olvido decir eso tambien

[@asgard.trance]

Pio 750 the best for me!

[@donotcare330]

I have the X1850 prime as well, and Not even 3 months down the road of nightly use it pretty much now has boot-up issues where it gets stuck in endless start-up sequence. When emailing DENON on this issue .. customer support is basically a JOKE. "You are to look at their forums for the answers" Even on having their Decks, So going to pioneer when it comes in, for the summer months. I've also had the sc5000 have a failure and it took them over 8 weeks to respond on one ticket and a basic "call our authorized repair dealers" all which said "they do not work on DENON anymore. " . So I had to sell the player and buy another. So bare in mind Denons have nice features that are much cheaper. But at the cost of once your equipment has an accident, a problem or needs a part replaced from nightly use. Denons cannot simply be opened to be fixed like a pioneer, and most people will not touch a Denon With a 10' pole. I guess I can understand why most clubs do not want people to bring denons in.

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Oh man, sorry to hear that.

[@BossGlobalRadio]

Hi, I switched from the Pioneer to the Denon a few months ago, I still haven't figured out what the PC ethernet is for, (uhhh), when you connect it does it give you an interface on your pc or is it for firmware updates? And I loved this video, I found the Denon sounding more crisp and digital than the Pioneer, the main reason for my switch.

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Thanks for the feedback! Here is an answer from the Denon Dj Forum: The PC Link port is on a LAN hub that allows the X1850 and Denon DJ media players to connect together and out to various things like: 1) Streaming if WiFi is weak or unavailable 2) use SoundSwitch 3) connect to Resolume I used it for 1 & 2 - works like a charm. But no: not really an interface to the PC.

[@vinylcritter6382]

Damn if only you put some vinyl on to test sound. It would be a complete review.

[@KevinBasher]

Great comparison. The kill on the filter (Denon) makes a lot of sense. Wonder why Pioneer hasn't incorporated that. You should be able to get total kill EQ on the 750 if you switch to Isolator, though.

[@lvhotboi86-trustworthy34]

@Gabriel Gilbert Because Pioneer is shut down due to the rona. They're not sending any product out or anything. I sold off my DJM 900 NXS two for a 1850 mixer and my guitar center and my Samash local stores cant get anything in from either of them.

[@magnussonsimon]

You can set the eq to isolator/total kill on the djm750mk2

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Yeah, true. But I didn't like the characteristic of the EQ in kill mode. Too much away from the normal non-kill EQ, which is nice.

[@heroldmutebi8200]

I laid my pioneer CDJ setup to Eternal Rest after acquiring the latest Denons SC6K + the 1850 mixer....& Am not looking back...not even with the CDJ3000 being put out

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

same for me (and I am "only" on the SC5000M's). I am actually a bit disapointed in Pioneer, that the 3000 is what them came up with after such a long period. Sure it has some nice features. But nothing that makes me want to go back. Especially not for the still extreme high price point. If Denon works on in this pace, Pioneer will loose more ground for sure.

[@thevinylpimpFloridaBreaks]

I purchased both units and going to return the cdj 3000 and keep the Denon, way easier to use and streaming beatport link is a ton of fun.

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

@@thevinylpimpFloridaBreaks And now the 2.0 Update... Denon is doing a lot right at the moment :-)

[@andyb4837]

Great review! Can I ask your opinion please? I currently have XDJ700/DJM450 setup but I want to upgrade and want to change to Denon. I can’t decide whether to A) get the Prime 4 and sell my current setup B) get the X1850 to use with my XDJs in the short term until I can afford the SC6000’s. Maybe option B isn’t even viable to use together….I’d appreciate your thoughts. Thanks

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Hey Andy! Always a tricky question :-) But I can give you what I would do (and kinf did). I mean in the end its super personal.... but here we go: B) I had the 750 plus 2 XDJ700 and wanted to upgrade. I found the Pioneer option too pricey (XDJ1000 or CDJ 2000 Nexus at the time). So I went for the Denon Mixer first. After all the XDJs works as media players with every mixer. If you use Recordbox atm it will get a bit tricky with external mixer setup (you should check in the RB manual what the actual version can do there). So if you are software based it can get a bit nasty and not as . And if I remember right you can connect the XDJs together to make snyc etc. Just no connection to the mixer (so beat fx won't get synced). And from there I got the SC5000Ms in my case. It was a viable path for me and I still enjoy it. It's the more pricy alternative, but also the more flexible one (I also use my old turntables from time to time). So basically that is the path I went... (and don't regret it) BUT now for A) the Prime 4 is a super nice machine. All in one. Flawless. If you want to use it standalone, really nice. If you want to go with Serato also perfectly integrated. And you should really check out the just released Engine OS 2.0 update. With the Prime 4 you for example have now a SoundSwitch integration for Lighting DMX stuff. So depending on what kind of Djing you do (mobile?) it really is an alternative. I really hope that helps you a bit. It's always a hassle to switch vendors. But I never regretted to switch to Denon.

[@andyb4837]

@@NewElectronicFrontier Thanks for the very detailed response man, much appreciated. In particular the fact you had experience of using the 1850/XDJ setup. Based on that I think that’s the route I’m going to go down. Just one more little question, did you say that I will lose the beat FX ability from the 1850 when hooked up to the XDJ? Or did I misunderstand you?

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

​@@andyb4837 You can hook up the XDJs via audio to the X1850 and use them as Media Players. And if you connect the XDJs via network cable with each other afair they can also sync if needed (but please check this). They won't hook up with the X1850's network - the protocols used of Pioneer and Denon are totally different. Therefore the XDJs can not exchange information (like BPMs) directly with the X1850. But as I write this... When the XDJs send their audio in the X1850 it has the usual BPM detection. So beat FX actually work with the normal BPM detection (just not with the super duper accurate digital BPM exchange via network...). I used this setup just for fun for a couple weeks before I actually got my hands on an SC5000M. But really can't remember how it worked out with Rekordbox.

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

@@andyb4837 So in general: if you use the XDJ as media players without laptop based setup, there is no going wrong. It will b a major upgrade of your mixer in the first place.

[@andyb4837]

@@NewElectronicFrontier Great to hear as I don’t use a laptop, just my music on USB pen (taken from my laptop via Rekordbox) Excellent news! Cheers again bud!

[@makisekurisu8078]

Wie unterscheiden sich beide Mixer bezüglich der Verarbeitung. Welche Poti fühlen sich besser an? Usw.

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Huch, gerade erst gesehen. Also rückbetrachtend (ich habe meine Pioneer damals verkauft) würde ich sagen die nehmen sich nicht viel. Potis, Fader, Knöpfe: bei beiden alles sehr robust und gut laufend. Ich persönlich mochte den Pioneer in der Hinsicht (gebaut wie ein Panzer) und wurde vom Denon nicht enttäuscht.

[@flipper340]

The sound on the headphones! Its possible to compair?

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Sorry - not any longer. Sold the Pioneer long time ago. Actually I think there was not a big difference (if I remember right). Both loud and clear.

[@magnussonsimon]

You can actually set the eq to isolator/full kill on the DJM750mk11

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Yepp I know - missed that in the video. The interesting thing is (at least on my device it was like this) that the EQ between the two is very different - and personally I didn't like the isolator one.

[@renel5122]

Would be nice to hear the difference of the EQs when the DJM750MK2 is also switched to "Isolator". With the Denon configured to Isolator and DJM not it makes no sense... I would actually go more for the DJM because of the Filter parameter knob and I personally like the effects more than on the Denon from what I heard. Still not sure what to buy to run with my SC5000s. ... before people argue... the color of the CUE button is not a relevant argument for me ;) I also don't like the way the filter on the Denon kills the sound so radically at the end. Not sure if I would use that for mix in...

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, the part with the isolator is unfortunately missing in the video - and the DJM is gone from me... sorry for that. I checked all that prior to selling it. I really didn't like the changed EQ curve characteristic of the 750 in isolator mode (that's why I never actually used it). But as with all things: a simple matter of taste. I mean both units are built like tanks and are on the high end of things. But I have to say: the integration with the SC5000s is beautiful. And works really nice with the beat synced effects. My tip: if you have the chance to take a look at the X1850 somewhere and check it out - go for it. The video only scratches the surface - all FX have deeper menue settings to manipulate. For the Filter kill: it was unusual for me at first as well. But I got used to it and by now I really like it and use it to make transitions only with the filter. Works nice. But I REALLY like your comment on the Cue buttons :-D

[@renel5122]

@@NewElectronicFrontier Yes, I plan to check out the mixers in "real life" but it will be a decision also based on the feeling. I like at denon the WashOut Channel FX, menu item to change resonance of the filter.

[@harveyspecterdj6661]

I teel the Denon has a nicer less distorted sound. The Pioneer sounds more rocky I think. It ads more rumble....seems like the cut curve on Pioneer has a resonance tip

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Jup, something like this. Unfortunately my scope was down when I did the video. After all it's a matter in taste I guess.

[@BossGlobalRadio]

Agreed, that's why I made the switch. The output is higher, therefore distortion can be an issue.

[@AT-wl9yq]

​@@BossGlobalRadio If you have a distortion issue, you're not setting it up correctly. You need to learn the difference between volume and gain controls. Then you need to look at the signal path and figure out which level controls are volume adjustment, or gain adjustments in your system. Once you are certain you know what each one does, set your gain structure first. After that, use only volume controls. The most important thing to remember is, only gain controls can distort the signal. Volume controls can't. So, if your gain structure is set properly, you can't distort the signal from that point on.

[@35ozgur]

I was thinking to buy x 1800 or 750 mk2 at the end I choose pioneer... But still thinking If I did wise =) for sure denon offers more for less price....

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

You know - in the end its gut feeling! The 750 is a phantastic piece of gear. My main reason for the change to denon was that I didn't like the media players I had at the time (xdj 700) - too much limitations. So I looked for alternatives. And inside Pioneer the alternatives simply didn't match my budget. So I tried an sc-5000m - and fell in love in an instance. After that the x1850 was the logic next step ( also as I got real good money for the 750). So that's my story. But I liked the 750! The features of the x1850 are a bit more, but question is: do you need it? My main reason was that it plays perfectly with the SC players. It's just too much Chaos if you have all vendors mixed up - especially when you try to incorporate software for DVS 🤣

[@bekhouwe8888]

Don’t know I own a allen & heath xone 96

[@abhishekkatkar415]

World best denon djs

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Sure we are ;-)

[@deejayinzaneofficial]

u sould have used isolator EQ on pioneer for full kill as on denon

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Yeah I know. It's not in the video. However the isolator eq on the Pioneer changes its eq curve quite drastically. And I personally like the curve of the Denon much more. But that's personal opinion only 😊

[@jonydelayable]

Denon clear sound , dual effect direct and filter ,no djm 750mk2 no djm 900 nexus 2 , nexus2 color fx filter no dual fx direct

[@itsamedjmario]

I pick DENON over Pioneer ALL DAY, EVERYDAY... Pioneer better step up their game, or lower their prices.. before the new "Club Standard becomes DENON's

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Totally agreed. With the new line of mixers and players Denon stepped up the game massively. Will be interesting how Pioneer responds to that. To make Recordbox a subscription service pissed me off and was the last push to sell all Pioneer stuff.

[@VelvetBulldozer]

The Pioneer has a master cue button. Where is that on the Denon? I am asking cause when at home I always mix with headphones ans I want to cue the master out, that is to get master out in my right ear and cued channels in the left. Booth monitor set to zero.

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Hey there! There is no dedicated master cue button on the Denon. However, they build this in the Split Cue functionality. When the Split Cue switch is in the On position, the headphone audio will be “split” such that all channels sent to cue channel are summed to mono and sent to the left headphone channel and the master mix is summed to mono and sent to the right channel. When the switch is in the Off position, the cue channel and master mix will be “blended” together. I checked it quickly: and yes, this works fine with master and booth out turned down to 0. So should be a fit for you.

[@Reticuli]

Master cue button is a stupid superfluous thing that never served an actual useful function on mixers that already have a cue/pgrm mix knob.

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

100% agreed :-)

[@donaldchilnerjr175]

Pioneer mixers always sucked. Rane ecler and denon. Are the commercial best.

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Yeah. I think at least they are over priced. I mean it's a matter of taste for most plus the features. Never had a Rane. But the Ecler ones... also really nice. I opted for Denon for the real good integration with their players. Did not regret it a single day...

[@Reticuli]

7:18 the blind leading the blind

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Thanks for the feedback! I guess you refrer to the option to switch to kill mode on the 750? Yes there is one, but: if you activate it, the EQ curve and characteristic is changed massively. IMHO it's not really usable (I mean it is, but sound wise I don't like it at all). However, should've mentioned it ;-)

[@Reticuli]

@@NewElectronicFrontier Of course it's going to change beyond just whether it's 'kill' or not, as it's an iso verses an EQ. Both mixers have that option.

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

Sure thing, you can change it in the menu on the Denon.

[@carlosposada1074]

Never buy denon mixers, too many bugs

[@NewElectronicFrontier]

That is interesting. I never had any issues with mine 🤷‍♂️

[@robgoodburn6178]

Never heard of this before. Any info to back it up?