AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ vs. Denon DJ Prime 4+: What’s the best 4-channel DJ all-in-one?

With the launch of the AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ, the all-in-one DJ market just got a serious shake-up. This is now AlphaTheta’s flagship club-style standalone system and it brings with it the features and feel of the industry standard club gear into a single package. Naturally, DJs everywhere are comparing it to Denon DJ’s Prime 4+, a powerful all-in-one that’s long been a favourite thanks to its flexibility and competitive price.

But which of these two systems is the right fit for you? Let’s dive into the details, breaking down key factors like build quality, features and of course, value for money, so you can decide which one fits your DJ style.

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Overview: XDJ-AZ vs. Prime 4+

XDJ-AZ: Pioneer DJ’s latest flagship delivers true 4-channel standalone playback with a club-style layout, an upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen, and full Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C connectivity. It’s designed to bring the professional club feel into a portable, all-in-one setup.
Prime 4+: Denon DJ’s Prime 4+ is a powerful standalone that offers 4-channel playback, loads of connectivity options, and a built-in hard drive bay for serious offline storage, making it a solid choice for mobile and event DJs needing flexibility and storage.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Pioneer DJ XDJ-AZ	Denon DJ Prime 4+
Standalone Channels	4-channel standalone from USB	4-channel standalone from USB
Touchscreen	10.1-inch, high-resolution, fixed	10.1-inch, high-resolution, tiltable
Jog Wheels	Full-size CDJ-3000 style, adjustable tension	Full-size with LED ring indicator, fixed tension
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB-C, Bluetooth	Wi-Fi, Ethernet, hard drive bay
Streaming Services	Beatport Streaming, rekordbox CloudDirectPlay	Tidal, Beatport, Beatsource, SoundCloud
Effects	Updated Beat FX and Sound Color FX from DJM-A9, X-Pad	14 Beat FX, Sweep FX
Performance Pads	8 dynamic RGB pads per deck	8 RGB pads per deck
Storage	USB, rekordbox Cloud, Bluetooth	USB, hard drive bay for offline library
Price	$3,199 / £2,799	$1,999 / £1,699

Screens: Which Gives You Better Control?

The screens on both of these systems are really top-tier and make it super easy to find music and see what’s going on with your tracks. They’re both 10.1 inch high-res displays which is basically like having a full-size iPad on top of your decks.

The XDJ-AZ gives you a couple of intuitive controls to help you find your next tune. Touch Preview and Touch Cue allow you to preview tracks directly from the library without loading them to a deck. Plus, you can view up to 13 tracks at once, making it easy to navigate large playlists.

On the Prime 4+, you can tilt the display back and forth. This lets you adjust it for different lighting conditions and pack it down flat for transporting. You might also find it more comfortable to not have to lean over the decks to see what’s going on. Unlike the AZ, the Prime 4+ also lets you see all 4 waveforms of the tracks simultaneously. This will be useful for DJs who want to mix three or four tracks and visually check they’re beatmatched. It’s also a multi-touch display, which allows you to zoom in with a pinch of the fingers.

Winner: Prime 4+ — They’re both fantastic, but the Prime’s tiltable screen, multi-touch display, and four waveforms give it the edge.

Streaming and Storage

Both the XDJ-AZ and Prime 4+ come equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections, allowing you to access streaming directly on the device. They both also let you use Bluetooth to connect your phone or another device.

The XDJ-AZ offers Beatport Streaming and rekordbox CloudDirectPlay for streaming. Streaming options on the Prime 4+ are much more extensive. You can use Tidal, Beatport, Beatsource, and SoundCloud, which makes it a more versatile pick.

The Prime 4+ also features a rather unique internal built-in hard drive bay. This lets you load an extensive offline library without needing external USBs or Wi-Fi. You might find this especially useful if you need a big selection of songs for an event, but you’re playing somewhere with unreliable internet.

Winner: Prime 4+ – The hard drive option and extra streaming choices mean you’ll never have a hard time finding the right tracks.

Jog Wheels

The XDJ-AZ borrows its jog wheels from the club-standard CDJ-3000s. These have adjustable tension to suit your preferences and mixing style. There’s also a display in the middle to show key info for the track or performance pads. Each deck also lights up around the edge to show when it’s ‘on air’.

The jog wheels on the Prime 4+ are significantly smaller and don’t offer adjustable tension, although they do feel smooth and responsive. Some may find them a bit too light and even a slight nudge can cause a big jump. They’ve also got an LED ring to show you which deck layer you’re currently controlling.

Winner: XDJ-AZ – A clear win for the AZ as its jog wheels are on par with true club-standard equipment.

Build Quality and Design

The XDJ-AZ and the Prime 4+ both offer some serious build quality with a rugged, gig-ready metal chassis, making them clearly built to last.

The AZ is very much in the style of Pioneer DJ and AlphaTheta’s club-standard DJ gear. It takes a lot of inspiration and features from the flagship CDJ-3000s and DJM-A9 mixer. The familiar layout makes it easy for DJs to transition to a club setup, and the CDJ-style jog wheels with adjustable tension provide the same tactile experience as club gear.

Denon has taken a slightly different design approach with the Prime 4+. It’s a bit more compact and portable overall, especially with its rubberized edges. It doesn’t sacrifice on quality, though; everything still feels solid, though the jog wheel is noticeably lighter. AlphaTheta favors a more streamlined, minimal look, while Denon’s design is a bit more futuristic and ‘sci-fi,’ and it’s also available in white.

Winner: Tie – Both units are built well; the decision largely comes down to design preference.

Effects and Performance Pads

The XDJ-AZ brings the latest Beat FX and Sound Color FX from the flagship DJM-A9 mixer, adding unique FX like Mobius and triplet rolls to expand your creative options. The touch-sensitive X-Pad lets you adjust FX levels on the fly, snapping back when you release, which makes for quick stutters and smooth transitions.

We’ve often found the effects section of Denon gear to be one of the most underwhelming aspects. They’re by no means bad, but to us, they don’t sound quite as good, and the layout doesn’t feel as intuitive. Some DJs may prefer the Denon effects, though.

The pads on the Prime 4+ offer a similar experience to the XDJ-AZ. The ones on the AZ are slightly more flexible as they can be used in a secondary mode, and they’ve also got dynamic response.

Winner: XDJ-AZ – With updated Beat FX, the responsive X-Pad, and versatile pads, it’s ideal for DJs to add some creative flair to their sets.

Price and Value: Which Offers the Most for Your Money?

The price is probably the biggest difference between these two units. The Prime 4+ comes in at a retail price of £1,799/$2,199, while the XDJ-AZ comes in at £2,799/$3,199. That’s a steep jump in price for such closely comparable units.

A large part of the reason the XDJ-AZ is so much more expensive is simply because it’s made by Pioneer/AlphaTheta. They have a near-monopoly on professional club gear, and pretty much every venue will have Pioneer CDJs in the booth. If you want the feel and features that translate directly to this pro gear, you’ve got to pay the price. That said, when you compare the cost of the XDJ-AZ to the over $7000 you’d be spending on the equivalent setup of 2 CDJ-3000s and a DJM-A9 mixer, it looks like a more reasonable price.

The Denon Prime 4+, however, just seems like a much better deal across the board. It’s a powerful bit of kit and is built fantastically. The only real negatives on the Prime 4+ compared to the AZ are the effects and the smaller jog wheels. If you’re not fussed about having the authentic Pioneer experience and just want a highly capable 4-channel all-in-one, this is probably the one to go for.

Winner: Prime 4+ – This comes in at a much lower price, without sacrificing much in the way of features or quality.

Final Decision: Which One Should You Choose?

Both the XDJ-AZ and Prime 4+ offer excellent standalone DJing capabilities, so the right choice depends on your specific needs. If you’re after that club-ready feel and more advanced effects, go with the XDJ-AZ. But if you’re a mobile DJ who values versatility and offline storage at a lower price, the Prime 4+ is tough to beat. Here’s a quick recap to help you decide:

Choose the XDJ-AZ if you:

Want a club-standard Pioneer feel with 4-channel standalone playback.
Prefer the latest in Pioneer effects and performance pad options.
Like full-size CDJ-style jog wheels, especially for scratching.

Choose the Prime 4+ if you:

Need large offline storage with a built-in hard drive bay.
Prefer multiple streaming options, including Tidal, Beatport, and SoundCloud.
Want the best value without sacrificing features.

Whatever system you choose, we’ve got courses to get you up to scratch with your gear. Our XDJ Beginner Course will take you through everything you need to get to grips with these setups. Check out a free preview lesson.

Or if you want to learn how to get the most out of your Prime 4, our Denon Intermediate Course will have you covered. Check out a free preview lesson.