Best DJ setup under €2,000: our favourite configurations

With a €2,000 budget, you can already build a very capable DJ setup.

In fact, at this price point, the biggest decision is not necessarily which model to buy, but what type of setup you want.

You can spend almost the entire budget on a good all-in-one system and have the whole booth in one unit. Or you can use the refurbished and used market to build a modular booth with two separate players and a mixer.

At Sounds Market, we see the value in both options.

These would be some of our favourite configurations under €2,000.

A note on prices: we use typical approximate prices for refurbished or used equipment. They may vary depending on each unit's condition and market availability.

Option 1: Pioneer XDJ-RX2 for around €1,500

The Pioneer XDJ-RX2 remains one of our most appealing options if you want an all-in-one and do not need the latest model.

For approximately €1,500, you get a complete booth with two decks and a mixer in one unit, direct USB playback and no need for a computer.

It also takes up less space and is much easier to transport than two players and a separate mixer.

The RX2 has been on the market for years, but that does not stop it being a good choice. Professional DJ equipment includes many earlier-generation models that still do their job perfectly well.

Choosing an RX2 instead of spending the full €2,000 can also leave room for good headphones, monitors or simply buying music.

We would choose it if: you want a well-equipped Pioneer all-in-one and prefer to save some of the budget rather than pay for a newer generation.

Option 2: Pioneer XDJ-RX3 for around €1,800

For something more current within the Pioneer ecosystem, we would move up to the Pioneer XDJ-RX3.

A refurbished or used unit can cost around €1,800, depending on the individual unit.

Compared with the RX2, one of the most noticeable everyday changes is the 10.1-inch screen and considerably more modern interface. Its features and effects section also bring it closer to later Pioneer generations.

If you have almost €2,000 available and know you want a Pioneer all-in-one, we consider it one of the most comprehensive options within this budget.

That does not automatically mean you should choose it over an RX2.

The roughly €300 difference can be worthwhile if you particularly value the screen, browsing and a newer generation. Otherwise, the RX2 still makes a lot of sense.

We would choose it if: you want a modern Pioneer all-in-one and are willing to use almost your entire budget.

Option 3: Denon Prime 4+ for around €1,700

The Denon Prime 4+ offers a very different alternative.

For approximately €1,700, you get a four-deck standalone system with a huge range of possibilities.

That is one of its biggest advantages over the RX2 and RX3: you can work with four decks from a single unit.

It is also particularly appealing if you value features and system flexibility more than staying within the Pioneer ecosystem.

We do not think you should automatically choose Pioneer simply because it is the brand commonly found in many professional booths. If you will mainly use your own equipment, Denon offers a great deal for the money.

For a closer look at the differences between ecosystems and players, read our Pioneer CDJ-3000 vs Denon SC6000 comparison.

We would choose it if: you want as many possibilities as possible in an all-in-one, especially if you want to work with four decks.

Option 4: 2 × XDJ-700 + mixer from around €1,450

This would be our alternative to the three systems above.

Instead of buying an all-in-one, we can allocate roughly €1,200 to a pair of Pioneer XDJ-700 players and use the rest of the budget to choose a mixer.

This opens up an interesting possibility: the same players can form quite different booths.

No combination is automatically better than the others.

XDJ-700 + Xone:23: around €1,450

This is what we would choose to get into a modular booth while spending as little as possible.

The Xone:23 is a relatively simple mixer, but gives you the Allen & Heath approach and sound without pushing up the budget too far.

For around €1,450, you get two separate players and an analogue mixer.

XDJ-700 + DJM-250MK2: around €1,500

If you prefer to stay with Pioneer, the DJM-250MK2 lets you build an equally straightforward configuration for approximately €1,500.

It does not have as many functions as higher-end mixers, but if your main need is mixing two players, it can be enough.

XDJ-700 + Xone:43: around €1,700

The Xone:43 is particularly interesting if you want four channels and like the Allen & Heath approach.

For approximately €1,700, you get a modular booth that you can also expand later.

You can start with just the two XDJ-700s and later add turntables or other sources using the additional channels.

XDJ-700 + DJM-450: around €1,750

This is probably one of the most balanced combinations for a modular Pioneer booth within this budget.

Two XDJ-700s and a DJM-450 make a compact setup with a familiar layout: player, mixer, player.

For approximately €1,750, you get a booth with separate components without stepping up to much more expensive professional players or mixers.

XDJ-700 + DJM-850: around €2,000

Here, we would use almost the entire budget.

The DJM-850 is an earlier-generation mixer, but that is precisely why it can be particularly interesting on the refurbished market.

For approximately €800, it lets you step up the mixer considerably while keeping the XDJ-700s as your players.

The complete setup would come to around €2,000.

It is a good example of why we do not always think it makes sense to look only at the latest models. In some configurations, buying an earlier professional generation can produce a much more interesting booth for the same budget.

Option 5: 2 × Technics SL-1200/1210 MK2 + Xone:23 for around €1,950

So far, we have mainly discussed digital setups, but €2,000 also lets you build a very high-quality vinyl booth.

One of our favourite combinations would be:

2 × Technics SL-1200/1210 MK2 + Xone:23

Allowing roughly €850 for each Technics MK2 and €250 for a Xone:23, the full setup would cost around €1,950.

This is where things differ quite a bit from digital equipment.

Although the Technics MK2 has decades of history, we do not see it simply as a budget alternative to a modern turntable. It remains one of our favourite DJ turntables, and our workshop still sees units with many years of use working perfectly after proper maintenance.

The Xone:23 keeps the total below €2,000 and gives you a simple, analogue booth focused entirely on vinyl.

Of course, you could spend much more on the mixer, but you do not need to for a great vinyl booth.

To learn about the different Technics generations, read our Technics SL-1200/1210 MK2 vs M3D vs MK5 vs M5G vs MK7 comparison.

We would choose it if: you want a dedicated vinyl booth and prefer to invest most of your budget in two good turntables rather than a more expensive mixer.

All-in-one or modular setup under €2,000?

For us, this is the real decision at this budget.

An all-in-one has obvious advantages.

It takes up less space, needs fewer cables, is easier to transport and integrates everything into one unit.

A modular booth, on the other hand, lets you choose the mixer independently of the players, replace components separately and expand gradually.

The DJing experience changes too.

With two XDJ-700s, you physically have two separate players and a mixer between them. That can be appealing if you want to get used to a traditional DJ booth layout.

But it does not automatically make the modular setup the best option.

If you will move your equipment frequently, or simply want to switch on one unit and start DJing, an RX2, RX3 or Prime 4+ will probably make more sense.

For a better understanding of the options before deciding, read our guide to choosing DJ equipment.

Which setup would we choose under €2,000?

It would depend on the use.

To spend as little as possible on a good Pioneer all-in-one, we would choose an XDJ-RX2 at around €1,500.

For a more current Pioneer all-in-one, we would move up to the XDJ-RX3 at around €1,800.

If we prioritised features and four decks, the Denon Prime 4+ at around €1,700 would be particularly appealing.

And for a modular booth, we would start with two XDJ-700s and choose the mixer according to our style of DJing and how much we wanted to spend on it.

We would not necessarily spend the full €2,000 just because it was our maximum budget.

What if I can spend a little more?

Beyond this point, other possibilities start to open up.

We can move from the XDJ-700 to players such as the Pioneer XDJ-1000MK2, use higher-end mixers or start building configurations much closer to a professional booth.

If you have more room in your budget, continue with our guides:

Best DJ setup under €3,000

Best DJ setup under €5,000

If you do not want to choose by a fixed budget, our guide to the best DJ setup for home explores the options based on how you will actually use them.

Buying new, used or refurbished with a €2,000 budget

At this price point, the refurbished market can significantly change your options.

Spending €2,000 exclusively on new equipment can lead to a very different configuration from spending the same amount on professional or semi-professional models from earlier generations.

This is particularly noticeable with mixers and players.

That is why we would not look only at the release year. We would consider the functions we need, the equipment's actual condition and how much we are paying for it.

At Sounds Market, we inspect and refurbish our Certified equipment in our own workshop and sell it with a one-year warranty.

Browse our Certified refurbished DJ equipment.