CDJ350 vs CDJ800. Opinions wanted!

[ae86touge]

Afternoon all. I'm looking at buying some CDJ'S at the end of next month and have already settled on a mixer (numark x6) however i'm in a pickle over CDJ's. 2 brand new CDJ350's will set me back just over £1000, however on ebay you can get 2 good clean CDJ800's for 650 - 700. From the reviews and specs i've read the 350 and 800 share similar features. There are a few on the newer 350's i would like (like the beat bar) but i don't know if that justifies the extra £400 :S

In a nutshell, does anyone have 800's who can tell me how they are to use? And if anyone has used 350's and 800's, is there a major difference between them and is it worth the extra money? I would like to gather opinion before spending my hard earned!

Thanks, Alex.

Edit: All CDJ800's mentioned are MK2.

[Synergy]

800s will have a bigger jog wheel so that could be a plus?

[ae86touge]

Just realised the 800 doesn't have USB input aswel, so now considering CDJ400's

[Synergy]

900s!

[MouseAT]

The 400s are nice players if you can get a deal on them, although I'm not sure how easy they'll be to find given that they're discontinued. They work as HID controllers for software as well. The built in USB support is pretty limited though - only MP3 (and maybe WAV) files in folders, slow to read USB drives when they're first connected etc.

The 350 might be a better bet if you're looking to play directly from USB drives rather than using CDs or a computer. The 350 is supported by the Rekordbox software, so it should handle all the file formats and playlists that its bigger brothers can.

[ae86touge]

Synergy - 900's are well expensive!
MouseAT - thanks for the advice on the 400's. I probably will be playing most of my stuff from USB as it doesn't skip like a cd can (and has). I was looking at Numark NDX400's. Look like good CDJ's for the money and do everything i want, but i was hoping to go the Pioneer route for build quality and reliability.

[Archon]

I was looking at Numark NDX400's. Look like good CDJ's for the money and do everything i want, but i was hoping to go the Pioneer route for build quality and reliability.

if you're going the numark route, pick up some used NDX800s. they do EVERYTHING and they're dirt cheap used. last time i checked where i lived, i remember then being about 500 for a pair.

also, when i first started out with my little numark CD DJ in a box 3 years ago, i used the decks all the time and they never once failed on me. i also dropped them going to a little residency i had at a youth group a few times onto a hard concrete floor and they still worked. I cant speak for others, but in my personal experience, numark makes some pretty good stuff for the price.

[MouseAT]

MouseAT - thanks for the advice on the 400's. I probably will be playing most of my stuff from USB as it doesn't skip like a cd can (and has).
Pioneer CDJs tend not to skip. There are videos of people holding them upside down, shaking them and bashing them against the table whilst they're playing and they just keep on going. Then again, I hate CDs so...

Don't get me wrong, I love my 400s (which I mostly use as software controllers) although I may look at upgrading down the line. It's just that they're essentially the MK1 version of the USB technology and were fairly limited in terms of how they work. They're a bit of a technological dead end in that regard, hence my warning. If they're being used for CDs, software or you can live with the limitations of being stuck with physical folders full of MP3s then they're really nice decks.

The 350s are essentially a MK2 version with better support going forward. You can navigate by tags, create playlists and generally manage stuff in Rekordbox. If you play out on higher end CDJs or upgrade down the line, you'll be able to use the same drive(s) and playlists.

I've not had chance to play with the Numark players - hopefully others will be able to elaborate further on what they're like to use.

[roguedna]

DNS1200 (http://www.djworx.com/skratchworx/reviews/dns1200.php)

CDJ400 (http://www.djworx.com/skratchworx/reviews/cdj400.php)

NDX800 (http://www.djworx.com/skratchworx/reviews/ndx800.php)

[ksandvik]

350s, reason, Rekordbox support.

[Qasim Noorani]

Really depends on what your intended use is. If you are a mobile DJ and would like a kick ass rig for the go and with new features, 350s hands down. But if you want to get your practice on and get ready for some club gigs, 800s are a good bet. Also, are you strictly CD/USB? or laptop? All depends on how you are going to use them. Just my two cents. All the best to you!

Q

[ksandvik]

Really depends on what your intended use is. If you are a mobile DJ and would like a kick ass rig for the go and with new features, 350s hands down. But if you want to get your practice on and get ready for some club gigs, 800s are a good bet. Also, are you strictly CD/USB? or laptop? All depends on how you are going to use them. Just my two cents. All the best to you!

Q

...more and more clubs go for RekordBox enabled CDJs so 350 is a better bet if you want to prepare material for your USB sticks.

[Buszaj]

Personally, I'd take the 800s hands down. Large jog wheel makes it easier to mix and scratch, and prepares you for the CDJs found in clubs. Also very reliable and durable (I own a pair). What your decision will come down to for you is whether or not you want USB functionality, and Rekordbox.

[ae86touge]

Aparently the ndx800's have an issue sometimes when loading usb sticks? Most of my mixing will be from a USB - saves the risk of a disc getting scratched, usb is convienient for me (sometimes people have a tune on their phone or usb they want played) which sort of rules the cdj800's out. I'll be using them for bedroom dj stuff but taking them out for the odd party here and there.

[Buszaj]

Aparently the ndx800's have an issue sometimes when loading usb sticks? Most of my mixing will be from a USB - saves the risk of a disc getting scratched, usb is convienient for me (sometimes people have a tune on their phone or usb they want played) which sort of rules the cdj800's out. I'll be using them for bedroom dj stuff but taking them out for the odd party here and there.

Stick with Pioneer or Denon. If you do want to step up a bit from the 350s, get the 400s. Nice and solid little players, with a few extra features (no rekordbox though).

[djmickyk]

just going to throw something else into the mix here..how about a set of secondhand cdj850s...if you look around im sure you can get a set for around the £1000 mark,then you have the best of both worlds large platters and the ability to use cds,usb drives and software,ive used these decks to mix and there pretty much the same as the 900s which i own"minus a few features of course"but alot easier on the wallet :)

[Archon]

850s dont do flash drive i think.

[djmickyk]

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/newsroom/news/news/CDJ-850/index.html:)

[Andrew B]

850s dont do flash drive i think.

Of course they do.

[MouseAT]

850s dont do flash drive i think.
850s do have the flash drive. They just don't have Rekordbox Link, which means you can't connect two of them together and share data between them. You need a dedicated drive for each machine and will have separate tag lists on each player.

[ae86touge]

850's are a bit out of budget, its looking very likely i'll get cdj400's unless someone can convince me 800's are a better investment. I do prefere the look of the 800's but the 400's have the usb connectivity

[DJ Nutty]

I dont understand what you mean, 400 have the USB functionality ?

Both the 350, 850, 900 and 2000 all support USB flash drives, and USB connectivity for midi control.

Personally I'd pick the 850 anyday, because of way better Platter over the 400, and Rekordbox support.

[djmickyk]

the 400s are great decks also..i have them along with 900s..if you dont mind the small platter then a better buy than 800s in many ways..they also make great controllers for software if you ever decide to go that route..i mentioned the 850s before as i seen you mentioning spending out on a set of new 350s...which are far inferior even to 400s imo.

[DJ Nutty]

I wouldn't say the 350's are far inferior to the 400's.

350: No cue points, no reverse mode button, No FX.
400: No WAV or AIFF support over USB, no Rekordbox support.

Personally not having WAV support is a deal breaker for me.

[ae86touge]

I might just stick with my laptop and controller and save for longer, maybe get a second hand pair of 850's or 1000's nearer xmas time. Maybe investing more money into a better product would be better in the long run.

[Irrational_Fear]

I might just stick with my laptop and controller and save for longer, maybe get a second hand pair of 850's or 1000's nearer xmas time. Maybe investing more money into a better product would be better in the long run.

That would be a good shout.

I personally think that brand new, the 850s are way over-priced when compared with the 900s for a couple hundred quid more. However, if you can get a good deal on a pair of 850s second hand they will suit your needs perfectly- you'll get all the advantages of the 800s (layout, full-size platter etc) with full USB & Rekordbox support.

From what you've said, this option makes the most sense to me. :tup:

[ae86touge]

Yeah i'd hate to get the 400's and then realise a few months down the line i wish i'd saved longer and got the 850's! I am prone to get buyers remorse quite easily on a large purchase, hence the topic. Plus, the 850K in black looks the mutts nuts!