CDJ-3000X review written by David Michael of Passionate DJ.
Introducing the CDJ-3000X
With an enormous new screen and Wi-Fi access, AlphaTheta (notably, not Pioneer DJ) has brought its flagship player into 2025.
It’s the best-sounding and, we’ve been told, the best-built CDJ ever made.
The Pioneer DJ / AlphaTheta CDJ line of products has long dominated large-scale professional installations in festivals and clubs all over the world.
With this CDJ-3000X, we’re seeing an acknowledgement that music is accessed differently in 2025 and beyond. DJs are no exception.
In fact, the lack of Wi-Fi streaming capabilities was a huge miss on the original CDJ-3000, which is now being rectified – and doubled-down on. New features such as logging in with NFC (or QRC code) hint at this new direction.
CDJ-3000 vs. CDJ-3000X (What’s New?)
Here’s the list of new features on the CDJ-3000X:
Built-in WiFi
Cloud access + streaming services
Full track caching
10.1” touchscreen (same capacitive glass display found on the XDJ-AZ, Opus Quad)
NFC or QR code login
USB-C connections (SD card slot removed)
Strengthened Play/Cue buttons + RGB hot cue color
Redesigned jog wheel and tension adjustment
Global Tag List
Copy/Paste (more playlist editing features planned)
Playlist reordering
SQ improvements (new ESS Technology DAC and power supply)
Gate Cue/Smart Cue/Touch Cue
Wider
Refined aesthetic
The built-in WiFi is welcomed. This gives you access to cloud storage via Google Drive or Dropbox, or streaming music via Tidal or Beatport.
You can stream music straight to the CDJ from these services, and don’t even need any USB connected. CloudDirectPlay means you get direct access and it will just play.
You also now have full track caching, which means that if someone steals your USB, at least the party will keep going until the end of the song. No more emergency loop.
The enormous upgraded touch screens are the same 10.1” capacitive glass displays found on the XDJ-AZ and the Opus Quad. They look bright and crisp, though black levels could be better.
The “tap to login” feature worked well. When the little symbol on the front of the player is flashing, tap your phone on it, which will send you a notification and complete the login process.
I found this process pretty easy, and I was able to access my TIDAL account on the device even though I currently pay for no other rekordbox or cloud subscriptions.
You’ll also notice the addition of USB-C ports, though there’s still a port for your old-school thumb drive. The SD card has now been removed. There’s also a USB-C port on the back of the player for connecting to your laptop.
More Great Updates
Overall, AlphaTheta has improved the physical reliability of the device. Specifically, they mention that the play and cue buttons can withstand over half a million more presses.
Perhaps a little more interesting is how the cue button changes colors with different hot cues.
They also have redesigned the jog wheel, and its tension. Indeed, the jog wheel feels nice and spins flawlessly (see demonstration in the video above).
The new Global Tag List feature means you can tag songs across all sources (whether USB, streaming, or on the cloud) and have them show up in one temporary playlist.
Also, these songs will download locally to the device (up to 40 or 50 songs at a time), so that you can play without worrying about losing connection in the moment.
This helps build a lot of confidence with the idea of using music sourced from Wi-Fi.
The 3000X now has a copy-and-paste function. Simply hold down on the bit of text you want to copy, like a track title, then use the on-screen paste button.
You can even do some basic playlist editing now. If you click the edit button, you can drag songs around and re-order them. AlphaTheta says that more onboard editing features are coming with future updates.
They’ve also, once again, upgraded the sound quality using a new 32-bit digital/analog converter from ESS technologies and a redesigned power supply.
Cue Features
You can also find a few new Cue related features. Normally, Hot Cues will play the track continuously. However, Gate Cue makes it so the track only plays while you hold the Hot Cue down.
Smart Cue means the position and color of a called-up hot cue will automatically overwrite the current, temporary cue point.
With Touch Cue, you can preview a song in your headphones simply by touching the waveform with your finger.
In summary, it’s the best version of the CDJ ever made – though you’re not going to find any crazy new features like stems or dual layer technology. Keep this in mind if you’re an owner of the original 3000 and considering an upgrade. The original is still a fantastic player in its own right.
Sound Quality
AlphaTheta claims that this is the best sounding CDJ yet, with upgraded components that deliver the utmost in pristine sound quality.
I did test this myself, of course, and here’s my standard disclaimer: I don’t have a sound-treated room, audiophile-grade speakers, or magic ears. Everything I say about sound quality is subjective.
And indeed, when comparing the output of these players vs. my old-school XDJ-1000s, I hear a subtle difference. I tested this by connecting them both to a DJM-A9, syncing the songs for time and volume, and flipping back-and-forth with the cross fader.
I had to try to hear the difference. It was subtle, but it was there: slightly more presence in the upper midrange, slightly more beef in the bass range, and maybe a little better stereo separation.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have an original 3000 in the room with me to do this same comparison. But again, I’m comparing it with a much lower end option, and I had to really try to hear the difference. I’m not sure if I’d hear anything in comparing with the 3000 (or the Denon SC6000 for that matter) that wasn’t placebo effect.
So, yes, the 3000X sounds pristine, at least when tested on my QSC speakers here in the studio.
Wrapping Up
Generally speaking, the 3000X has an overall wider stance and a refined aesthetic. It truly looks good, feels very solid, cleans up easily, and is the high-end flagship product you expect.
It’s the best version of the CDJ ever made, though you’re not going to find any crazy new features like stems or dual layer technology.
Keep this in mind if you’re an owner of the original 3000 and considering an upgrade. The original is still a fantastic player in its own right.
In any case, the price tag is a seriously big ask for those of us looking for something for home use.
Not to state the obvious, but these 3000X’s are meant to be installed in clubs and festivals around the world, for multiple working DJs to use, where the priority is consistency, reliability, and top-notch sound quality.
Whether we’re talking AlphaTheta or Pioneer DJ, the company still offers a bunch of entry points. You could instead get a pair of XDJ-1000 mk2s and a DJM-750 mk2 mixer, and I guarantee it will cover the needs of most of us.
Or, you could get an all-in-one like the XDJ-AZ, which is also expensive, but not nearly as expensive as *four* CDJs and a mixer.
Hell, to be honest, many of us would be better off with a DDJ-FXL10 or similar Rekordbox controller at home.
But for those who want the “Ferrari”, the CDJ-3000X offers a delightful experience.
Ports & Specs
Compatible Software
rekordbox for Mac/Windows rekordbox for iOS/Android Serato DJ Pro – license needed
Compatible rekordbox/CloudDirectPlay
Dropbox, Google Drive
Compatible Music Streaming Services
Beatport, TIDAL
Playable Media
USB flash drive USB SSD / HDD PC/Mac (USB / LAN) Mobile devices (iOS / Android)
Connectivity
USB Type-A × 1 (for storage) USB Type-C × 2 (storage / PC connection) LAN port × 1 (PRO DJ LINK) Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11n/ac) NFC login supported
Compatible Library
Device Library Plus rekordbox-analyzed libraries can be exported and used via USB
Jetpack is a brand that makes extremely functional and stylish bags for all types of DJs. For the purposes of this guide, I’ve divided the bags into four types:
First, there’s Roller Bags (Glide, Drop). These are meant to hold larger and heavier DJ gear, and can be rolled around like a piece of traveling luggage. They have smooth rollerblade-style wheels, telescoping handles, reinforced handles, and a front pouch for the Snap backpack.
Next are Standing Backpacks (XL, Prime, Remix). These hold a ton of DJ gear, and your laptop. They are larger than a typical backpack, and have rubber feet on the bottom so that they stand upright.
Then there’s Over-the-Shoulder Backpacks (Slim, Snap). These are more of the size and shape that you think of when you think “backpack”. They’re lightweight, but tough, and designed to carry your laptop, headphones, and other smaller bits.
Finally, we have Headphones Bags (Deloop Sport, Deluxe, and Audiophile). These can also act as a small clutch for various accessories you might need when DJing.
All Jetpack Backpacks have bright orange interiors for visibility in dim environments, secure headphones storage, high-quality zippers, and padded shoulder straps.
Custom Embroidery
All Jetpack backpacks feature optional high-quality threaded embroidery – my favorite thing about these bags!
Generally your logo is placed on the front, slightly above center, as large as reasonably possible. The size of the logo is usually between 5 to 7 inches for the longest dimension (depending on which product you ordered, and the shape of logo).
I got to examine several bags which used this service – including a Jetpack Remix I ordered for myself.
The quality of the stitching is top-notch. The color was vibrant, and accurate to the colors of my logo.
These images are made using colored threads (not a print). Therefore, certain design elements will not translate completely.
Jetpack suggests keeping it simple, mostly text based, and to avoid complex images. It just won’t look good. Avoid fading colors and gradients, sparkles, shading, metallic shiny effects, glowing, etc.
Having a screen-printed logo on something is cool, but having an embroidered logo is just that extra bit of class. I really like the way this looks.
Shoulder Backpacks
These over-the-shoulder style backpacks are lightweight, but tough, and designed to carry your laptop, headphones, and other smaller bits.
The Snap combines with either of the Roller bags, to form a complete system.
Jetpack Snap (DJ Bag Review)
If you’re looking for a lightweight way to carry your laptop and headphones, the Snaphas got your number.
There’s one main compartment, meaning the laptop is in a shared space with your headphones, cables, and accessories. This allows it to be as compact as possible.
That said, your laptop is still in a protective sleeve with a velcro strap (and I had no qualms tossing my Macbook Pro in there).
On the side is a rather large “passport pocket”. This large wallet-sized pouch could also be useful for smaller flyers, documents, etc.
There’s also a hidden flap which unzips, revealing a rigid place to store documents or a folder. This could be useful for flyers, payments, contracts, or anything else you need while DJing.
The Snap is a nice backpack on its own, but it’s also designed to be part of Jetpack’s roller bag systems. This makes a complete solution for your mixer or DJ controller + your laptop and accessories.
Jetpack Slim (DJ Bag Review)
The Slim is a “normal”-sized backpack with two main zippered compartments. The laptop gets its own space, making it feel well-protected.
In the second compartment, along with the laptop, you’ll find space for two vinyl records (without sleeves). This could be useful if timecode and turntables are part of your DJ setup.
While it lacks the passport pocket of the Snap, you will find a small stash pocket on top. I found this to be very handy for storing USB drives without having to look for them.
There’s a hidden document storage area, which unzips and reveals the perfect area to keep a folder of your important papers.
The Slim is made of waterproof ballistic nylon, and the material inspires confidence. It feels tough enough to go gigging.
Unlike the Snap, it’s available in multiple finish types (black, gray, camo). I found the gray finish to be my personal favorite – it’s quite sharp!
Which Should I Choose?
If what you need to carry to a gig is your laptop, headphones, and a basic set of cables and adapters, the Jetpack Slim or Snap will cover your needs.
When comparing these over-the-shoulder backpacks, the important thing to consider is price. The Jetpack Slim comes in at $149.99, and the Snap comes in at $119.99.
However, when purchased as part of one of the Roller Bag systems – either the Drop or Glide – the Snap ends up being only $100 extra dollars.
Both backpacks have lovely double-layered headphones pouches, to keep things organized and secure. They each have two large internal pouches that are great for holding small accessories like microphones or USB drives. They are bright orange on the inside, for visibility in dark club environments.
If carrying timecode records is important to you, you want a tougher material that will last longer, or you want more finish options, choose the Slim. If you want the best bargain, or you want the thinnest and lightest-weight bag you can get to safely carry your laptop in, choose the Snap.
Standing Backpacks
If the smaller backpacks above aren’t enough for your needs, consider the Jetpack Prime, Remix, or XL.
These hold a ton of DJ gear and accessories, in addition your laptop. They are larger than a typical backpack, and have rubber feet on the bottom so that they stand upright.
These also contain a chest strap, to help remove strain from your neck and upper-shoulders.
Jetpack Prime (DJ Bag Review)
This is a rather large backpack that you might consider if you need to carry a larger or heavier piece of gear in addition to your laptop and headphones.
The front compartment of the Prime is configurable using a padded guard and velcro strap. This area is large enough to hold a 2 channel mixer, compact DJ controller, drum machine, or FX unit.
The rear compartment, in addition to sleeves for four vinyl records, contains an area specifically to hold a tablet (like an iPad).
The middle (laptop) compartment contains tons of pouches, zippers, and slots for all your little doodads. I used this to store microphones, headphones, USB hubs and the like.
There are also large side pockets on either side of the bag. If you need lots of separate pouches (but none of them small), the Prime has you covered.
One disadvantage is that it’s a bit stiff in comparison to the Remix. The middle compartment does not open more than about halfway, making it tough to see everything at a single glance.
Jetpack Remix (DJ Bag Review)
The Remixis what I chose for my own personal bag. To me, it’s the perfect balance: a large standing backpack with slim design (but extra storage for my DJ goodies).
Accessing the Remix is easy thanks to each compartment opening wide (if not quite 180 degrees). I greatly appreciate this when trying to find something quickly, or in the dark.
Without an extra large front compartment, or side pockets, the Remix stays svelte and contained within its own rectangular shape.
Like the Prime, it has three primary compartments and the laptop is stored in the middle. You get space for four timecode records (more than I need!)
I found that even though there’s space for headphones, accessories, documents, and even my iPad – a loaded down Jetpack Remix doesn’t feel particularly cumbersome in comparison to a normal shoulder bag.
Jetpack XL (DJ Bag Review)
This is the big boy! The XL aims to be the largest and most functional DJ backpack that can still be worn and used.
This bag has more pouches and sleeves than you could shake a stick at. In addition to everything we’ve discussed on the above bags (floating headphones pouches, secure flaps for storing accessories, flat document storage, and 4x vinyl record sleeves) – the XL has room for two laptops.
Unlike the other standing bags, the XL indeed opens up to 180 degrees making for easy inspection.
If there’s a place for extra storage, Jetpack has found it and put it on the XL. It has external front and side pockets, a passport pocket, and even has enough room for your scratch mixer.
I think of the XL as a specialized choice, rather than a practical option for most DJs. If you need to bring two laptops, and a scratch mixer or small controller, plus a bunch of accessories to a gig without making multiple trips to the car, it may indeedbe your only choice.
Which Should I Choose?
All of these standing bags have 4 vinyl slots, chest straps to reduce strain, an air-mesh construction, a pass-thru trolley sleeve and rubber feet. They are available in black only.
In this segment, the Remix is the most similar in size and weight to a reasonable backpack that I want to regularly wear. As a result, it holds less stuff.
The XL and Prime have side pockets, where the Remix does not. The XL also has a double front stash and passport pocket – the Prime has a small stash pocket, but there’s no such feature on the Remix.
You also get a double laptop slot on the XL, in case your setup requires two. It also has extra foam padding, reinforced handles, and is all-round a tougher bag.
Choose the Remix like I did, if you want a standing bag, but just barely – and you don’t need a zillion places to stash items. Choose the Prime if you need to carry laptop and a mixer or small controller, and want to do it all in one trip.
Get the XL if… well, if you need something that large, you probably already know.
Roller Bags
These are meant to hold larger and heavier DJ gear, and can be rolled around like a piece of traveling luggage.
When combined with the Jetpack Snap backpack, they form a complete system for your gear, laptop, and accessories.
Both rolling bags have telescoping handles, rollerblade wheels, reinforced handles, and a front pouch for the Snap backpack. They’re available in black and without embroidery, though you can get that done on the backpack instead.
Jetpack Drop (DJ Bag Review)
The Dropcan almost be considered to be a rolling mixer case. It’s large enough for just about any scratch mixer, and some smaller 4-channel ones.
It has an expandable top, which unzips and reveals a somewhat larger compartment that carries longer mixers or other types of gear.
Inside is an adjustable floating divider, so you can decide how to best organize your own hardware. This makes it possible to, for example, carry a drum pad controller in addition to your mixer (or, use it for your laptop).
At the bottom of the mixer compartment is a padded box which can be used to hold cables, accessories, microphones, or anything that you want to keep organized and protected.
This padded box acts as a riser to protect the bottom of the mixer when it’s rolling around (or, it can be removed for more room).
Jetpack Glide (DJ Bag Review)
If you need to carry around a larger 4-channel DJ controller, the Glideis the ideal option.
Unlike most cases for these types of devices, it’s both fully configurable for just about any piece of hardware – and you can roll it around instead of carry it like a briefcase.
Inside the Glide are many removable pieces of foam padding, as well as a rigid bottom pad which flips upside down to accommodate controllers with protruding feet.
Rather than making a bespoke case for every large-format controller (or requiring you to custom cut internals), the Glide makes it possible for you to configure and re-configure the shape of what’s held inside.
All of this makes for an extremely versatile bag – but outside of this, it doesn’t carry much else. This is a purpose-specific case, meant to hold your controller or standalone (and not much else).
That said, in combination with the Snap backpack, the Glide System makes for a complete solution for nearly any DJ controller ever made.
To cater to the varied nature of the tops of these controllers, a foam pad and velcro strap are included to keep your gear safe and secure.
Which Should I Choose?
Unlike the bags we’ve discussed earlier, there’s not too much crossover between these two. It should be clear which you need.
Chose the Drop if you need to carry a scratch mixer or smaller 4-channel mixer, and perhaps an additional small device. Choose the Glide if you need to carry a large 4-channel DJ controller or certain standalone DJ systems.
Pair either of these with the Snap backback to combine it with your laptop and headphones for the ultimate solution.
Headphones Bags
These act as a small clutch for headphones and various accessories you might need when DJing. This includes the Deloop Sport, Deluxe, and Audiophile.
All of these are high-quality bags meant to store and protect your headphones, cables, and small accessories.
In any form, the Deloop bags are designed to be fashionable and stylish, in addition to protective.
Owing to its shape and soft design, there’s a great chance that your headphones and accessories will fit comfortably. The Audiophile is a larger option for those who are worried.
The Sport and Deluxe are the same, except for material and cost. The Deluxe is made of leather (or pleated leather, if you prefer) but nearly doubles the cost.
The Sport is available in multiple finish types – black, grey, and camo.
See the video above for a more in-depth comparison of these headphones bags.
Jetpack Pulse (Alternative Option)
While not quite a headphones bag, it’s not quite a laptop bag either.
The Jetpack Pulse sits comfortably slung over one shoulder, and therefore might be considered an over-the-shoulder headphones bag.
This is a great option for non-laptop DJs who only need to bring digital media (e.g. USB drives and SD cards), small tablets, and headphones to the gig.
The Pulse has plenty of storage for your everyday items, such as keys, phones, wallets, or ear buds. Chances are high that you’d find this bag working its way into normal daily use, outside of DJing.
As with the other Jetpack backpacks, the Pulse is available with custom embroidery.
Help Me Decide!
If you’re still not sure which DJ bag is the right one for you, be sure to watch the video above. Each bag is talked about in much greater detail there!
That said, let’s summarize the entire Jetpack line.
Keeping it Light
For DJs who only bring headphones, USB drives, and little else to a gig, the Deloop line of headphones bags is a wonderfully stylish way to show up at a gig.
Choose the Sport for toughness and value, the Deluxe for its fashion sense, or the Audiophile for a little more room. Only the Sport is available in multiple finish types.
The Jetpack Pulse is a sort-of in-between option. It doesn’t let you hold a laptop, but you could hold your headphones and a bunch of goodies, in a more traditional over-the-shoulder style. Get this if you like it better than the handbag style of the Deloop.
If what you need to carry to a gig is your laptop, headphones, and a basic set of cables and adapters, the Jetpack Slim or Snap will cover your needs.
The Slim is a nicer bag, is covered in nicer materials and has a separate laptop compartment – but the Snap is extremely lightweight. When bought as part of a Drop or Glide system, it’s a $50 savings over a Slim.
Heavier Duty
Laptop DJs who find themselves bringing more items on the road might opt for a larger standing backpack, or a roller. All of these have 4 vinyl slots, chest straps to reduce strain, an air-mesh construction, a pass-thru trolley sleeve and rubber feet. They are available in black only.
The Prime or XL will easily support any 2-channel mixer, and perhaps some smaller 4-channel ones. But so will the Jetpack Drop. So if you want to bring a laptop and a scratch mixer to a gig, maybe it makes sense for you to roll it in with a Jetpack Drop and Snap combo, rather than lug it in on your back.
The Jetpack XL carries a ton of stuff, but it weighs almost 9 lbs BEFORE you put anything in it.
If you’re bringing a large 4-channel DJ controller or standalone DJ system to the gig, the Jetpack Glide is basically your own choice. Getting this with the Snap for an extra $100 is practically a no-brainer – assuming you use a laptop – and all the various carrying handles will make it easy to put in and out of your vehicle.
Both rolling bags have telescoping handles, rollerblade wheels, reinforced handles, and a front pouch for the Snap backpack. They’re available in black and without embroidery, though you can get that done on the backpacks instead.
In any case, you can’t go wrong with a Jetpack bag!
RANE One MKII review written by David Michael of Passionate DJ.
Introducing the RANE One MKII
The RANE One MKII is a wonderfully robust DJ controller, for hands-on mixing with motorized platters.
Inside this new version of the controller are the guts of a proper RANE hardware mixer – including 29 internal hardware FX and premium faders.
Stems controls have been added too, giving you the ability to add or remove song elements (like vocals or drums).
Like its predecessor, the RANE One MKII presents with exceptional build quality. This is apparent from the moment you unbox and install the 7.2” platters, which seem to be carved from solid chunks of metal.
The exterior is finished in matte white – something we often see on special editions, but rarely on hardware revisions like this MKII. I must admit, it looks sharp – and probably helps with visibility in the dark.
This controller allows you to enjoy the tactile feel of mixing records, while enjoying the flexibility of a digital setup. That said, your analog turntables are also supported (or any other external audio sources, such as CDJs).
For open-format DJs who need lots of tactile control, the RANE One MKII is a top choice. It gives the feel of mixing 7” records (with selectable torque), in a portable chassis.
What’s New?
Onboard Hardware FX
The MKII no longer relies on Serato to handle FX – it’s now done on the hardware itself. This comes with a few advantages:
Higher quality FX. RANE’s onboard FX can be preferred to many of Serato’s stock. (However, you can switch back with a simple button).
Works with other sources. Even when playing records on a turntable through the RANE, you can apply FX to your songs (no laptop required).
Less work for your laptop. Since FX processing is being done on the RANE, your laptop focuses on crunching other things instead (like low-latency scratching, or Stems).
There’s now a dedicated OLED display, letting you change FX parameters in a convenient way, which is very sharp and readable.
The Beat and Depth knobs that were on the original RANE One have been replaced with an encoder knob and tiny joystick, allowing you to change the details of your Main FX on the screen.
You also now get access to four different Channel FX. In addition to your original Filter, you can select Filter Roll, Flanger, and Noise FX.
Stems Controls
Since the original RANE One was released, Stems have hit the mainstream in a big way, and thus have made their way to the MKII.
You can use the new Acapella and Instrumental buttons to easily toggle vocals and music (similar to other controllers like the RANE Four).
Using Stems Level Mode, your EQ knobs can be used to easily mix Vocals, Melody/Bass, and Drums levels.
Or, you can use your beat pads to access Stems. Simply enable and disable the various Stems using the 8 beat pads under each deck, as is common on many controllers.
These various modes make it easy for you to access Stems in the way that makes the most sense to you, while not being too invasive to the overall design.
There are also two new modes:
Stem Roll – a repeating roll effect applied to individual stems (e.g. vocals)
Stem FX – transition or wash effects applied to individual stems (e.g. Echo Out)
Listen to Stem separation demos, including the two new Stems modes, in the review video above.
Secondary Performance Pads
On the top of the RANE One MKII you’ll find a new set of four buttons above each deck, replacing the touch strip that existed there previously.
This allows you to easily access another pad mode, in addition to whatever mode the “normal” pads are in. For me, the best use of this is for accessing stems while keeping your hot cues available to you.
All things considered, I find this to be a better use of the space than the touch strips.
Upgraded Faders
In addition to the Mag Four crossfader that was on the original unit, RANE has added upgraded PRECISION FEEL upfaders (the same ones found on the Performer).
All faders on the unit have customizable cut-ins, curves, and tension – which was also true of the original unit. But now the upfaders match the premium level of quality found in the MAG FOUR crossfader.
Other RANE ONE MKII Upgrades
On the front of the unit, you’ll find a new Sampler Volume knob for easy control of the Sampler.
There has also been Reverb and Echo FX added to the Mic 1 slot.
FX
The RANE One MKII now has FX built in, which means that they will work no matter the source (including turntables or CDJs).
These high-quality FX also save CPU cycles on your laptop, since all the FX “work” is being done on the controller itself.
There are 29 meticulously-crafted FX (as can be found on RANE mixers) and it includes a new OLED display for adjusting parameters. The screen is crisp, readable, and a welcome addition.
Should you still want to use Serato’s software FX, this can be done with the press of a new button.
Headphone Outputs (1/4”/6.35 mm and 1/8”/3.5 mm TRS)
Maximum Output Voltage: 4 Vrms (no load)
Output Power: 50 mW (50 ohms)
Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 108 dB
Wrap Up
As a two-channel DJ controller with high-torque motorized platters, the RANE One MKII is aimed squarely at the turntablist-style scratch DJ.
When I reviewed the original RANE One, I spent a few moments talking about value. In today’s world of rising costs, this holds even more true for the MKII.
The only real caveat is that you must be a Serato user. If you’re already in the fold, and you’re a digital DJ who likes to scratch… the RANE One MKII is a no-brainer.
If you already own the original, you may not be compelled to upgrade unless access to Stems is really important to you.
With the MKII, RANE has taken an already great controller, and updated it to cater to modern expectations. That’s exactly what a MKII is for.
Thankfully, the terrific guts of the original controller seem to be present here, and should make many Serato DJs happy for years to come.
This AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 review is brought to you by David Michael of Passionate DJ.
Introduction
It’s a bit crazy, when you think about it: you never really see wireless DJ headphones in the booth.
If you’ve ever turned your head to talk to someone and had your headphones go flying off, you know what I’m talking about.
But the issue with wireless protocols (e.g. the Bluetooth SBC codec) is almost always latency, or “lag”. In other words, the time it takes for you to hear something after you do something (like push a button).
AlphaTheta’s solution to this is called SonicLink. This protocol is 20 times faster than Bluetooth, bringing the latency down to 9 msec – close to imperceptible.
This means you can monitor, mix, scratch, and cue just as if you were using wired headphones – a game-changer for the DJ booth.
In the boxyou’ll find a very nice carrying bag and a pair of replacement ear pads.
You can buy the headset itself for $389. But to get it with the SonicLink-capable transmitter costs $499. Currently, the only device that supports the HDJ-F10 headphones without the transmitter is the AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ (it has one built-in).
Features & Usability
The HDJ-F10 headphones offer a similar suite of features that you’d find on upper-end consumer-level cans.
AlphaTheta was smart to not lean all the way into wireless DJ headphones. Today’s users want today’s features, and they are basically found here.
By sliding a small switch on the left cup, you can easily decide whether you’re using SonicLink or Bluetooth.
SonicLink Features
Max Transmission Distance: About 15m (unobstructed)
Playback Time: About 9 hr *
Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz
Latency: 9 msec
Pairs With: HDJ-F10-TX transmitter (or XDJ-AZ) only
Bluetooth Features
Max Transmission Distance: About 10m (unobstructed)
Playback Time: About 30 hr *
Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz
Latency: 180 msec
Pairs With: Any Bluetooth-capable device
* see Battery Life section below – it may surprise you!
Thanks to the built-in mic, the HDJ-F10 is capable of handling phone calls when paired to your phone in Bluetooth mode.
With all this in mind, the HDJ-F10 can be used anywhere outside the DJ booth. Using the included cable, you can even use them as traditional wired headphones.
Noise Cancellation & Transparency
The onboard mic isn’t just for taking phone calls. Like other modern headsets, you can use Active Noise Cancellation to filter out incoming noise.
Or, you might enable Transparency mode to let external sounds in. This lets you continue having conversations with people around you while listening to music.
You enable or disable these functions using a dedicated button on the right cup.
These features only work in Bluetooth mode.
The quality of these features is worlds apart from my AirPods Pro, or any other high-end headphones. I didn’t find myself impressed, here.
The physical sound isolation of the headphones is very good, so thankfully, this isn’t a dealbreaker.
General Use
The appropriately-named Multifunction Button is used to do several things, depending on when (and for how long) you push it.
Hold it for about 2 seconds, and the headset turns on. Hold it just a little longer, and it turns off.
Use a long-press (about 5 seconds) and it will enter pairing mode.
Once the headset is in pairing mode, you can do a similar long-press on your transmitter’s button. They will both flash, indicating they are paired together. The process is similar whether using Bluetooth or SonicLink.
Currently, the only other device that supports the SonicLink protocol is the Wave-Eight wireless speaker. However, it does not pair to the HDJ-F10 stuff, nor to the XDJ-AZ (which has its own transmitter).
I tried some failure tests with these wireless DJ headphones, and it fared quite well. When stepping outside of range, it would drop, but then immediately reconnect to the transmitter as soon as I came back.
Their claimed 15m range (on SonicLink) seems fairly accurate. As expected, the more obstructions and Wi-Fi signals you have nearby, the worse your range will be.
There’s a small onboard LED to indicate connection status, as well as three dots indicating battery level. Volume controls are also included.
Latency
Bluetooth SBC audio latency is approximately 180 msec… an eternity when it comes to describing audio lag. It can be better or worse than this, depending on the level of post-processing (by noise cancellation, for example).
SonicLink reduces this time to 9 msec, which is fast enough to make it unnoticeable.
This means that actions like hot cueing, scratching, or scrubbing tracks sound just like they would if you were wearing wired headphones.
See demos of this in action in the video above.
Comfort & Wearability
I found the HDJ-F10 headset to be reasonably comfortable for long-term use. Though at 356g (or 0.8 lbs) you will feel the weight after a while.
Adjustability is good – the headband is angled slightly rearward, and both sides have a nice ratcheting action when setting the height.
The cups swivel, but only slightly. They are perfect for the “one cup on, one cup off” thing, but less ideal if you do the “hold the headphones upside-down and listen to one side” thing.
With both cups on, they fit over the ear and don’t make me sore quickly like on-ear ones do. I was able to clock in a few hours before feeling like I needed a break.
Generally speaking, the headset is comfortable, if not a touch heavy.
Physical sound isolation of the HDJ-F10 headphones is quite exceptional. The ear cups formed a nice seal against my head, providing great volume and bass response at all times.
Battery Life
SonicLink has a performance implication: AlphaTheta claims 9 hours of battery life on SonicLink, vs. 30 hours on Bluetooth.
However…
I tested this myself, and the headset didn’t stop for 32 hours when using the SonicLink protocol. Color me shocked.
The transmitter itself lasted for almost 11 hours before needing to be plugged into 5V USB-C, at which time it continued sending music.
I’m not sure what accounts for these results. 32 hours is almost 4X what AlphaTheta claims these will do on their proprietary protocol.
Who knows what it will actually do with Bluetooth?!
While the headset itself can’t be used while charging, it can be used as standard wired headphones by using the included cable (just steal it from the transmitter).
I’ve never had to DJ for 32 hours, or even 9 hours straight… so the battery life of these headphones seems more than sufficient for my needs.
I’m not saying you should expect these results: many things could decrease battery life, such as increased volume, the presence of other 2.4 GHz signals, or the age of your battery. But, you should expect AlphaTheta’s claims to be conservative.
The headphones take about 2.5 hours to reach full charge (and about 4 hours for the transmitter).
Sound Quality
Headphones Type: Closed, dynamic
Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 30 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Output SPL: 105 dB
The HDJ-F10 headphones will get as loud as you want them to get. Whether used wirelessly, or with the included cable, I had no trouble getting these things to bump.
The audio itself sounds quite lovely. Audio reproduction quality is good, and bass is emphasized (as you might expect – and want – from DJ headphones).
With the cups covering my ear and forming a gentle seal against my head, the isolation was sufficient to make it sound like I’m in a quiet room, even without active noise cancellation on.
Higher-end sounds are produced with clarity (and without harshness), while all the midrange is still present when listening to music made by humans and instruments.
Like other Pioneer DJ audio gear I’ve reviewed, you can find a little bit of hiss if you really listen for it. I never found it to be distracting.
To be clear, these are not meant to compete with audiophile-grade headphones, and will not blow your mind in this regard. But they do sound very good, and they get loud in loud environments (perhaps the most important thing in DJ headphones).
I tested making phone calls with the headset on, and everything sounded crisp and clear on both ends.
Final Thoughts
The AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 seeks to solve a real problem in the DJ booth. Having a wire tethering your face to a mixer feels really archaic in 2025.
If you’re an early adopter type, this is a great time to pony up and show the company you want low-latency wireless tech in the DJ booth.
If you’re not, AlphaTheta has future-proofed the headset by making it work with standard Bluetooth protocols, as well as with a hard wire. In the absolute worst case scenario, these will always still be really good headphones.
But whether the market will support this shift into a new wireless DJ headphones technology remains to be seen.
That said, I’m happy that someone is addressing this latency issue, and this is a company well-poised to introduce this new tech.
At the end of the day, the HDJ-F10 is a comfortable wireless headset with incredible battery life and very good sound quality. It just so happens that you can supercharge its performance using a SonicLink transmitter.
The AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 is a four-channel controller for rekordbox or Serato, and the rekordbox mobile app. And as of their latest releases, it’s also supported by Virtual DJ and Algoriddim Djay.
It provides that club-standard-style of layout that so many of us desire – meaning, it follows the design language of the CDJ-3000 and DJM-A9, including its placement of hot cue pads above the jog wheels.
When used with rekordbox, there’s an onboard remix function called the Groove Circuit. This allows you to replace the drum tracks on your songs with other ones.
When used with other software, particularly Serato, this function becomes Stems FX. This lets you apply effects such as Roll, Trans, Echo Out, and Delay to the separate Stems of a track – drums, bass, vocal, or melody.
Overall it has a nice aesthetic, with a nice black matte finish covering most of it. It has a spacious, ergonomic design that is mostly symmetrical.
The new Smart Rotary Selector allows for up/down and left/right tilting as well as conventional rotation and push operations. This makes it much easier to find the track you’re looking for, no matter the size of your music library.
The GRV6 is appealing to many DJs because of its broad compatibility, its familiar layout, and the set of features it brings for the price.
That said, one thing you might notice is its minimalist approach, visually speaking. I’m mainly referring to its lack of full-color LCD screens, or crispy OLED displays giving feedback under knobs.
As far as visual feedback, you get the spinning jog ring, some flashing lights, and that’s mainly it.
But keeping those things simple means that despite its feature-set, the GRV6 is able to come in at a reasonable mid-range price point of $829.
Features & Layout
The layout of the DDJ-GRV6 deck section is CDJ-3000-like, with 9 pads placed above large jog wheels.
Small pitch faders make way for large jog wheels, which are of upper-mid quality. Perhaps equivalent to something like an XDJ-1000mk2.
The mixer is DJM-A9-like, with its entire suite of FX included. Though, you don’t get all the same controls (e.g. no X-pad or EQ bands to apply FX to).
The faders (including the crossfader) feel nice, but not top-tier like a Magvel.
Using Stem Iso mode (by holding shift + any channel’s cue button), you can convert the EQs to stems controls. If you want to drop (or fade) the specific elements of your track, this will come in handy.
Stems can also be toggled using the pads, whether using rekordbox or other software.
Build quality overall is enough to instill confidence. While made of plastic, there’s nothing on the GRV6 that feels particularly cheap.
Carrying handles on the underside make for easy transport. Jog wheel size is prioritized, and certain features are omitted to make for a more spacious design.
Using the new Smart Rotary Selector, you can easily browse through a library of any size. In addition to the normal rotate and click options, it moves up/down and side/side like a joystick, helping you flip through crates and directories.
Ports & Connections
2x USB-C ports – power input, “device output”
For PC/Mac, power is supplied via USB.
For mobile devices, power must be supplied to the DDJ-GRV6 from an outlet or mobile battery.
Android mono/stereo switch
Balanced mic
RCA Booth
RCA Main + Balanced ¼” Main
Groove Circuit (rekordbox)
The unique Groove Circuit function uses dedicated buttons to replace the drum parts of a track, creating live remixes.
You can insert entirely different drum loops, effectively changing songs into different genres, creating fills, build-ups, and breakdowns.
There’s a Groove Circuit on each side, each one having an independent gain control.
They also each have what we’ve come to think of as an FX paddle, labeled “Drum Release”. We then have a “Drum Swap” and “Drum Roll” section, each with four buttons.
The “Capture” button in the middle allows you to save a drum loop from the current track you’ve loaded into the deck.
There are a handful of premade loops inside rekordbox already, and with the ability to add your own, the possibilities are endless. It’s easy to change the mood of a track by simply changing the percussion.
If you’re the kind of DJ who likes to play a well-known house song, but change it to a breakbeat, you’re gonna love this feature.
Using the Drum Roll, you can “roll” only the percussion section in a repeating loop.
Use this in combination with the Drum Release paddle to add a little sparkle to your set. This lets you use Echo, or other selectable FX (like Vinyl Brake).
See the video above for demos.
(This function is only available on rekordbox for Mac/Windows.)
Stems FX (Serato)
When using Serato DJ, Groove Circuit is replaced with Stems FX. In fact, with the included overlay, you can ensure that the controls are labeled properly for your preferred software.
Not only is this hugely functional, it helps you not feel like a second-class citizen by having the wrong labels on these buttons – and makes it feel like it truly supports both platforms.
Pro-tip: save whichever overlay you don’t use, and keep it nice. Somebody will want to buy it from you, one day.
Stems FX applies effects to the individual stems of a track (drums, bass, vocal, melody). These are classic FX like Roll, Trans, Echo Out, and Delay.
Drum Roll is replaced with Stems Roll – actually a more useful version of the same function which lets you roll individual (or multiple) stem parts.
See the video above for demos.
Complaints/Wish List
I have a couple minor ones:
Looping is unintuitive. It’s hard to get used to a long-press to engage a 4-beat loop, and the length controls are in a different location (see video). Give me a rotary loop encoder any day!
Why ¼” balanced instead of XLR on main out? This is a minor complaint, and technically it works fine. But be sure to keep your own cables and adapters around for this when playing out.
Groove Circuit is “risky” – easy to engage off-beat.
My main complaint about the GRV6 is its lack of useful visual feedback.
And honestly, it wouldn’t take much. RGB backlighting on the beat pads would be hugely useful. This makes it easy to identify hot cues, easy to tell which stem you’re removing, etc.
RGB backlighting could also be used to make it more obvious whether you’re controlling the primary or secondary decks. Currently you could be forgiven for forgetting whether you’re on Deck 1 or 3.
It could also be used to help differentiate whether your CUE buttons are in CUE mode, or in Stem ISO mode.
There’s nothing particularly useful in the center of the jog wheels either, other than a spinning ring. No BPM or pitch data, no library browsing.
None of this is a huge deal individually, but having them all means there’s a non-zero chance of getting lost while DJing. At least for me. (Admittedly, I’m scatter-brained.)
This is a DJ controller in the traditional sense – it’s not meant to help keep your eyes off the laptop screen. Which is fine – not every DJ controller needs a zillion OLED screens.
But at this price point, I think RGB backlighting would be a fair (and useful) inclusion.
Wrap Up
The DDJ-GRV6 is a device that handles the main DJ tasks well: manipulating tracks with its full-size jog wheels, easily skimming a large library with that multi-function browse knob, and sounding good (all the way down to its full suite of Pioneer DJ FX).
The GRV6 is a solid all-arounder. You get a stout, four-channel, handsome controller with multi-software support and unique remixing features.
It does all the basics well, though that doesn’t mean there are places it could be improved upon. But generally speaking, it’s a joy to use.
The GRV6 is for just about any DJ who wants four-channel control, a club-style layout and doesn’t care about mixing external sources.
It’s a proper mid-range controller that mimics the functionality of the big boys. Its wide level of software support is another reason to make this easily recommendable.
For something a little more entry-level, check out the 2-channel DDJ-FLX4.
Shout out to the homie, OP Miller, for this awesome breakdown
This is a big one. Serato DJ just got rebooted. Its name: Serato DJ Pro. Its users: A-Trak, Jazzy Jeff, Mix Master Mike, Questlove, and Fatboy Slim. Its availability: right now.
Creating a sequel to an industry standard is never easy. Serato DJ has been trusted by DJs globally since its launch in 2012. Replacing the popular Serato Scratch Live and Serato Itch software, it offered extremely stable DVS control, plug-and-play support for some of the most innovative DJ hardware, and a rock-solid platform for learning and mixing on.
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