The Lowdown
The Pioneer DJ CDJ-900NXS is a media player that has a gorgeous, full-colour screen and Nexus connectivity. It brings a modern Pioneer DJ media player closer to the way DJ controllers and laptops work. It inherits much of the functionality of the CDJ-2000NXS, including streaming over WiFi, and while it’s still pricey it comes in at a price that’s more attractive to DJs looking for a media player for home use.
First Impressions / Setting up
The Pioneer CDJ-900NXS has most of the features of its bigger brother, the CDJ-2000NXS, in a more affordable package. The CDJ-900NXS can play tracks from CDs, USB and over WiFi. It has stereo RCA and digital coaxial outputs, as well as a LAN socket for connecting to another CDJ-900NXS or to a NXS-equipped DJM mixer.
Like the CDJ-2000NXS, the CDJ-900NXS is compatible with Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox which means you can prep your music on your laptop and create playlists, and then export them to a thumb drive for use with the CDJ-900NXS.
In Use
Apart from a few CDJ-2000NXS features like backlit buttons and a tilted LED screen, the CDJ-900NXS has essentially the same features. The buttons and knobs all feel great which is to be expected from Pioneer despite the CDJ-900NXS being a more affordable option.
The CDJ-900NXS also has the Slip and Quantise modes that are available on the CDJ-2000NXS and function in practically the same way where they help you lock in to the music and make transitions smoother.
The Rekordbox functionality lets you connect to iOS or Android devices or even laptops and cue songs from there over WiFi. This feature is welcome but not necessary in our opinion.
Most Amazon users are happy with their purchase of the CDJ-900NXS though one reviewer pointed out that the flat display has a low refresh rate and resolution, especially when compared to modern smartphones and tablets.
Conclusion
If you can live without the eye candy and some ergonomic luxuries available on the CDJ-2000NXS, the CDJ-900NXS is a great media player although it still is quite pricey. If you can live without a CD player, you’ll want to check out the XDJ-1000MK2 or the XDJ-700 for even more cost savings.
