Allen & Heath Xone:96 – warm analog soul meets modern connectivity
The Xone:96 is more than a re-skin of the legendary Xone:92 – it’s a six-plus-two-channel workhorse designed to marry analogue character with digital flexibility. Its four main channels each have 4-band EQ, splitting the mid band into separate hi-mid and lo-mid knobs so you can sculpt your kick and hi-hat energies independently. There are also two stereo return channels (C and D) plus two additional return inputs, giving you eight routable inputs in total. Dual VCF filters – with selectable low-pass, band-pass and high-pass modes – include a new crunch parameter that adds harmonic distortion. These filters have been redesigned to eliminate the audible “pop” that plagued earlier Xones.
Connectivity is a big part of the Xone:96’s appeal. A dual 32‑bit/96 kHz USB audio interface lets you route 24 channels of audio to and from your computer and is Traktor Scratch certified out-of-the-box, making it simple to integrate laptops, CDJs, turntables, synths, FX pedals and drum machines. Vinyl DJs will appreciate the upgraded phono pre-amps, which give records extra headroom and clarity, while the Innofader Mini crossfader and long-throw 60 mm channel faders feel silky smooth. There are even two independent headphone cue systems, allowing back-to-back DJs to monitor separate channels simultaneously.
In true Allen & Heath fashion, there are no onboard digital effects; instead, the mixer provides flexible send/return loops so you can patch in external processors or modular synths. This design choice keeps the signal path purely analogue and leaves creative effects entirely in your hands. Reviewers describe the Xone:96 as a “powerhouse bridging analogue and digital for a ‘no-frills’ mixing experience,” praising its tank-like build, smooth filters and “classic analogue sound.” The downside? If you rely heavily on built-in effects or want simple plug-and-play fun, you might find the 96 a bit utilitarian.
Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 – digital convenience with modern creativity
Pioneer’s DJM-A9 replaces the long-standing DJM-900NXS2 as the club-standard four-channel mixer. The headline change is enhanced 32‑bit audio quality; engineers borrowed converters from the DJM-V10, so the A9 now sounds as good as its more expensive sibling. The mixer also packs updated sound colour and beat effects. In addition to the familiar filter, crush and sweep, you get new Beat FX like Mobius, triplet filter and triplet roll, perfect for adding polyrhythmic tension over straight 4/4 grooves – a trick that can send a techno floor into orbit. Assignment is now handled by push buttons instead of knobs, reducing the chance of mis-routing your effects mid-mix.
A huge improvement is the colour display above the effects section. It delivers detailed feedback about effect parameters and gives access to a utility menu where you can save and recall personalised settings. The DJM-A9 also introduces dual independent headphone outputs with separate cue buttons, making back-to-back sessions seamless. There’s a two-band booth EQ so you can tame harsh monitors, plus a completely redesigned mic section with phantom power, new mic effects (echo, pitch and megaphone) and a push-to-talk button.
Other welcome upgrades include the Magvel Gen 3 crossfader and smoother upfaders taken from the DJM-V10, Bluetooth input for emergency phone tunes or streaming a synth, and both USB-C and USB-B ports for laptop DJs. According to Digital DJ Tips, the A9’s improved outputs – master, booth and headphones – and tweaked phono circuitry make it “a great sounding mixer.” They conclude that it offers more features, is easier to use and sounds better than its predecessor, though the high price and absence of a built-in network router are downsides.
Feature comparison at a glance
Allen & Heath Xone:96:
– Analogue 6 + 2 channel with 4-band EQ; dual VCF filters with “crunch” distortion and a smooth, silky response.
– No built-in effects; external send/return system for your own FX.
– Dual 32-bit/96 kHz USB interfaces; extensive analog I/O and send/returns.
– Two independent headphone cue systems for back-to-back mixes.
– 60 mm linear faders and Innofader crossfader; upgraded phono pre-amps.
– Approximately 7 kg; around £1,500.
Pioneer DJ DJM-A9:
– Digital 4-channel with 3-band EQ and sound colour FX.
– One knob per channel plus Center Lock to prevent over-turning; new Mobius & triplet FX.
– Beat FX and sound colour FX with a new display and quick assignment buttons.
– USB-C & USB-B ports; Bluetooth input; Wi-Fi for the Stagehand app.
– Dual headphone outputs with separate cue buttons.
– Magvel Gen 3 crossfader & improved upfaders; mic section with phantom power & extra mic FX.
– Approximately 10 kg; £2,469 / $2,699.
Pros and cons for house & techno
Why the Xone:96 resonates with house & techno DJs
– Analogue warmth & headroom – The Xone series is beloved for its rich, airy sound. The 96’s upgraded phono pre-amps and revised filter circuit give vinyl a lush low-end and silky highs. Techno DJs often cite the dual VCF filters as instruments in themselves; the new crunch parameter adds harmonic drive that can make a droning synth line growl.
– Precision EQ – Having separate high- and low-mid bands lets you isolate and tame problem frequencies, perfect for long house blends where you want the kick to breathe without sacrificing mids.
– External FX freedom – Rather than locking you into a fixed palette, the 96’s send/return loops encourage you to build your own FX chain. Pair it with a delay pedal, modular synth or laptop and your mixes become uniquely yours.
– Built like a tank – Reviewers call it a “powerhouse” and note that it feels meaty and user-serviceable. This is a mixer designed to survive years of sweaty raves.
– Versatile routing & double cue – The dual USB soundcards and independent cue systems make complex hybrid setups and back-to-back sets painless.
Cons:
– No built-in FX means you must bring external units if you crave instant delays or reverbs.
– The 4-band EQ and extensive routing can intimidate beginners.
– At ~£1,500 it’s not cheap, and it’s heavier than a controller – though still lighter than the DJM-A9.
Why the DJM‑A9 appeals to modern house & tech heads
– Improved 32-bit sound quality – The DJM-A9 borrows the converters from the flagship DJM-V10, giving it a cleaner, more detailed sound than the DJM‑900NXS2. House sets with lush vocals or sparkling pads benefit from the extended headroom.
– Creative FX playground – With an expanded suite of Beat FX including Mobius and triplet effects, plus colour FX with Center Lock, the A9 lets you twist and trip grooves on the fly without external gear.
– User-friendly display & workflow – The colour screen shows you exactly what an effect is doing and lets you save personal preferences. Assigning FX via buttons is faster and more reliable.
– Dual headphone outputs & booth EQ – Back-to-back DJs can each have their own cue and volume. Booth EQ on the top panel helps you tame boomy monitors.
– Modern connectivity – Bluetooth lets you drop an emergency track from your phone; USB-C ports future-proof laptop connections; the Stagehand app allows remote monitoring (handy for tech crews).
– Mic & fader upgrades – Phantom power supports condenser mics; new mic effects add performance possibilities; the Magvel Gen 3 crossfader and improved upfaders feel buttery smooth.
Cons:
– The A9 is expensive and heavier than the Xone 96.
– While its digital sound is crisp, some purists find it lacks the organic warmth of A&H’s analogue mixers.
– Built-in FX are great, but there’s still no ethernet router for Pro DJ Link and the Stagehand app raises privacy concerns.
– Only four channels – if you dream of six-deck techno experiments, you’ll hit its limits.
Which one is better for house & techno?
There’s no one-mixer-fits-all answer – it depends on your mixing philosophy and the environments you play in.
Choose the Xone:96 if you:
– Love the hands-on feel of analogue and want to sculpt long, hypnotic blends with precise EQ and silky filters.
– Prefer to build your own FX chain and don’t mind hauling external units.
– Spin vinyl or run hardware and want a mixer that doubles as a studio hub.
– Want a solid, road-worthy piece of kit that will last for years.
Choose the DJM‑A9 if you:
– Play on the club circuit and need compatibility with the latest Pioneer CDJs and Rekordbox ecosystems.
– Value convenience and creativity – having FX, Bluetooth, improved faders and a slick display ready to go out of the box.
– Play back-to-back often and appreciate dual headphone cues and a booth EQ.
– Are willing to pay a premium for the newest club standard and the best audio quality Pioneer has offered in a four-channel mixer.
Final thoughts
For deep house and rolling techno, the Xone:96’s analogue heart, versatile routing and sculptable EQ make it a favourite among purists and vinyl heads. Its lack of built-in effects encourages you to craft your own sound, and the mixer feels like a forever investment. In contrast, Pioneer’s DJM-A9 brings the convenience of a modern club mixer with improved audio, creative effects and thoughtful quality-of-life tweaks. If you want to walk into any booth and feel at home while still adding polyrhythmic trickery and playing back-to-back without stress, the A9 is hard to beat.
Whichever you pick, remember that the music and your creativity matter more than the gear. A good DJ can make a dance floor sweat with a cheap two-channel mixer and a pair of 1210s. These mixers simply give you different canvases to paint on. So choose the one that inspires you, and keep pushing those beats forward.
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