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Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 Review

The Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 is a worthy successor to the highly popular DJM-900NXS2 (the current "industry standard"). It's a case of "evolution, not revolution," and the layout will naturally be familiar to anyone who has used such mixers for decades.

But modern connections, better customization options, new effects, and higher sound quality justify the development work and the higher price. After using it for even a short while, you won't want to go back to the DJM-900NXS2, not least because it sounds significantly better.

First Impressions

At first glance, the device looks like a typical Pioneer DJ club mixer. It has the usual depth and height, the same black metal design with a large logo on the front, and the expected four channels, effects on the right side, microphone channels, etc. on the left side.

However, it's a bit wider (which could cause issues in some setups), and from there, it doesn't take long to discover changes: a mysterious new "Center Lock" button on the Sound Color FX, Bluetooth, an additional set of headphone controls, a sleek new display, modern USB-C inputs alongside the older USB-B type.

The more you look closely, the more you realize that pretty much everything has been redesigned, albeit subtly in many places.

Setup

Like with the previous models, this is a mixer - to set it up, you simply connect it. It still needs to be connected to an Ethernet router to be used with Pioneer DJ's Pro DJ Link ecosystem (although it also has WiFi - more on that later), and it still offers a selection of digital and analog inputs and outputs, but everything is as expected when it comes to getting it up and running.

Here, everything runs smoothly, with no surprises, but no stumbling blocks either.

In Use

We'll go through the major changes from the DJM-900NXS2 and talk a bit about sound quality before we get to our conclusion about this new mixer.

Center Lock Feature on the Sound Color FX

Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 Center LockThere's a new switch that applies a mechanical lock to the Sound Color FX controls. It's designed to allow DJs with a lot of tactile sensitivity to quickly twist effects (like a filter) into and out of the mix without missing the 12 o'clock "effect off" click point on the control. It literally locks the control in place so it can't be twisted further.

This means if it's shaken or twisted forcefully, it goes past the 12 o'clock position - but you have to be quite determined and exert force for that to happen.

Initially, we weren't too fond of this feature - it felt odd to force it, and we couldn't understand why Pioneer DJ didn't just include a software "lock" (where the effect stops working even if the control is twisted too far) - but the more we got used to it, the more we liked it. DJs who tend to get carried away by this feature will surely appreciate it just as much.

New Beat-FX

Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 beat FX sectionTo the already wide range of great-sounding beat effects, Pioneer DJ has added the Moebius effect from the DDJ-1000/DDJ-1000SRT (a great-sounding effect), but also two "Thirds" effects, Triple Filter and Triplet Roll.

Using thirds/triplets in straight 4/4 dance music can sound fantastic, so it's good to see two such options in a club DJ mixer; typically, they're only hidden in certain software effects.

Buttons instead of knobs for Beat-FX assignment

Speaking of effects, we should also talk about the new buttons. It's a small improvement but with a big impact because the old knob, used to assign the desired beat effect to, for example, the channel, crossfader side, or just the master, was cumbersome to use and prone to errors.

Now all options are buttons, which work much better. There are still lights on the device itself to show you which channel or routing the effect is working on, but this way, switching between them has been greatly improved.

Significantly improved display

Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 DisplayNot only for displaying effect settings but also for navigating through the extensive "Utility" settings menu, the new display above the effect section is a significant advancement over that of the DJM-900NXS2. It's larger, in color, has higher resolution, and can display and render much more information.

This means, for example, that the X-Pad can be finely adjusted and you get immediate feedback on the screen on how it's currently set. It also means that DJs have an easy way to adjust their custom settings (especially for effects) and load them onto any DJM-A9 when arriving at a venue.

This is one of the most important things that you'll really miss when switching from the DJM-A9 to the DJM-900NXS2.

Dual Headphone Feature

In the A9, there are two independent headphone systems. For this, additional cue buttons have been added on the front, so to speak, the "B" headphone set. Each DJ can choose what to listen to. So, playing back-to-back, switching between DJs, or playing as part of a DJ duo becomes much easier.

While the first row of headphone jacks is where you'd expect them (i.e., on the top of the device), Pioneer has for the first time placed controls or functions on the front of such a mixer - something to keep in mind if you want to seamlessly integrate the A9 into a setup.

Booth EQ

Right on the top is a two-band EQ for the DJ monitoring system, allowing the DJ to take direct control if the supplied monitors, for example, are set too sharp. This function has been directly inherited from the DJM-V10 (like many others here).

Additional settings are possible not only for the booth but also for the master outputs, headphones, microphones, etc., that are not available on the control panel - they're all in the new, improved Utility menu.

Improvements to the microphone channel

Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 Mic SectionThe microphone channel has undergone many changes. It now features:

  • Phantom power for a condenser microphone on microphone 1
  • Separation of On/Off and Talkover
  • An additional set of effects (in addition to reverb): Echo, Pitch, and Megaphone, with their own parameter control
  • A "Push-to-talk" function on the power button

This makes the use of the microphones more flexible, fun, and easier to handle.

Improved Faders

The crossfader of the DJM-900NXS2, Pioneer's Magvel Gen 1 model, never bothered us and always provided faithful service, but the crossfader of the DJM-A9 is a true gem. Apparently, it's a Magvel Gen 3, but however the technical details may appear, it feels wonderful.

The crossfader comes directly from the DJM-V10, as do the upfaders, and overall they represent a tangible upgrade over the quite usable models of the DJM-900NXS2.

Bluetooth Input

Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 usb bluetoothThis feature is widespread today in portable PA speakers, live mixers, and even in some DJ mixers, although the models that utilize this function are (so far) primarily intended for consumers.

In any case, Pioneer DJ has evidently decided that this function can also work in the professional DJ environment, and we agree. The ability to turn on a Bluetooth source to play, for example, emergency music from a phone, seems sensible. The pairing is easy and it all works as it should - a great addition.

USB-C as well as USB-B

Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 Dual USB PortsWhile the DJM-A9 is primarily used in professional DJ setups with networked CDJ-3000s, many DJs also enjoy such a setup with DJ software like Serato (which works immediately with a licensed version of Serato).

The DJM-A9 features modern USB-C ports alongside older USB-B ports, for DJs who want to connect laptops, making it absolutely future-proof.

The mixer also offers the ability to work with two different PC/Mac sources. So, for example, DJ number 1 could be playing with rekordbox while DJ number 2 has their Serato set already prepared.

Audio Quality

The DJM-900NXS2 sounded pretty good... but not excellent. Against the best of the best (including Pioneer DJ's DJM-V10), it fell short.

Not anymore!

The DJM-A9 features 32-bit converters inherited from the DJM-V10, making it sound just as good as its sibling model.

DJM-A9 Mixer Rear View

The master output, the booth output, the two headphone outputs, even the phono inputs... all have been optimized and improved circuit-wise to make this mixer a great-sounding device, and you can feel it in operation too. We tested the DJM-A9 in our studio with a pair of well-tuned speakers, and we found it really appealing.

Conclusion

The old DJM-900NXS2 feels, well, old, once you've spent some time playing with this device. So the new A9 is clearly an evolution, not a revolution. This mixer is aimed at professional DJs who play in large clubs or festivals.

It addresses some of the biggest shortcomings of the DJM-900NXS2 and is also future-proof, for example with the new USB-C ports. The changes made are all sensible, and the new additions (especially the microphone effects and new Beat FX, as well as additional headphones and the new Bluetooth input) are all great. However, we would have liked to see an integrated network router.

Overall, the A9 offers more features, is easier to use, and sounds better - a clear buying argument... aside from the price.

At 2,799 euros, it's more expensive than its predecessor and any other mixer... but for all professional organizers, this should not be a problem. After all, it is about to become the new industry standard and replace the successful old industry standard from the same company. And it should be noted that some components have been taken from the flagship DJM-V10, which plays in a completely different price range.

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