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DJ Tech Reviews

Allen & Heath Xone:K3

A compact, metal-built MIDI controller with 52 controls and RGB layers; unlike the K2, it has no audio interface.

Allen & Heath Xone:K3 at an angle

Photos: Allen & Heath

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Only 2 professional reviews so far, 2 recommending it

An early read

This page rests on 2 professional reviews and 5 owner reviews, too few to be sure. It is recompiled as more reviews appear.

Best for
K2 owners, and DJs or producers adding compact MIDI control to an existing setup.
Skip it if
You need audio outputs or a plug-and-play Traktor or Serato mapping.

The Internet’s Opinion

From 2 professional reviews and 5 owner reviews: not much evidence yet.

Both professional reviews recommend it, and the five owners read at Thomann agree: the diecast build is a clear step up from the K2, the per-button RGB colours make three layers easy to follow, and the K2's layout and mappings carry over. The repeated reservations are the K2's audio interface, now gone, no case or stand in the box, mapping work with no ready-made Traktor or Serato mapping when reviewed, and pots without a centre detent.

2 recommend0 mixed0 avoid

What people praise

  • Solid diecast metal build, a step up from the K2
  • Per-button RGB colours make layers and mappings easy to read
  • Smooth faders and pots and precise, well-spaced buttons
Show 6 more
  • A worthy successor to the K2 with the same familiar layout
  • Three layers give a lot of control from a compact unit
  • Useful beyond DJ software, with DAWs and hardware such as Akai MPCs
  • Ready-made mappings: an official djay Pro mapping and native VirtualDJ support
  • Good value for the build
  • The free Xone Controller Editor sets each control's MIDI message and LED colour

What to know first

  • No built-in audio interface, which the K2 had
  • No case or stand in the box, and it sits low beside a club mixer
  • Custom mapping takes time, and Traktor and Serato had no ready-made mapping when reviewed
Show 2 more
  • The pots have no centre detent
  • A modest update with little new beyond the build, colours and USB-C
See the 2 reviews behind this

2 professional reviews (2 recommend, 0 mixed, 0 avoid); 5 owner reviews read at Thomann (6 posted across all languages, 1 under 20 words skipped)Compiled 2026-10-17How this is compiled

Prices

Before you buy

Released
October 2025
Status
Current

Works with

  • djay ProOfficial mapping

    Allen & Heath lists an official djay Pro integration with four-deck mixing, Neural Mix stems, effects, looping and sampling on macOS, Windows and iOS; the overlays are a download from Allen & Heath Manufacturer spec sheet (Allen & Heath), checked 2026-10-17

  • VirtualDJPaid licence

    Native support; a Pro Infinity, Plus Controller or Pro Subscription licence is needed, otherwise the K3 works for 10 minutes each time VirtualDJ starts Manufacturer spec sheet (VirtualDJ (Atomix Productions)), checked 2026-10-17

  • Bitwig StudioController extension

    An official controller extension with Mixer, DJ EQ and Device modes, clip launching and support for two K3s Manufacturer spec sheet (Allen & Heath), checked 2026-10-17

  • MixxxFree, K2 mapping

    Mixxx's Xone:K1/K2 mapping works with the K3 once its firmware is updated to v1.0.4 r93846 Manufacturer spec sheet (Mixxx), checked 2026-10-17

  • Xone mixers and K-series controllersOver X:LINK

    Two X:LINK sockets (RJ45) connect it to X:LINK-equipped Xone mixers such as the Xone:96, PX5, 43C and 23C, or to a K1, K2 or another K3, over a standard CAT5 cable; a Xone mixer, K1 or K2 can power it this way Manufacturer spec sheet (Allen & Heath (Xone:K3 user guide)), checked 2026-10-17

  • iPad, iPhone and AndroidClass compliant

    Class-compliant USB MIDI with no drivers on macOS, Windows, iOS and most Android devices; older iPads need Apple's Camera Connection Kit, and a powered adaptor is advised for USB-C iPads Manufacturer spec sheet (Allen & Heath (Xone:K3 user guide)), checked 2026-10-17

You’ll also need

  • A computer, tablet or phoneNot standalone

    It sends MIDI to software on a USB host; it makes no sound by itself Manufacturer spec sheet (Allen & Heath (Xone:K3 user guide)), checked 2026-10-17

  • An audio interface or DJ mixerNo audio built in

    The specification lists USB-C for power and MIDI data and X:LINK for data only, with no audio inputs or outputs; sound comes from the computer, an interface or a mixer Manufacturer spec sheet (Allen & Heath (Xone:K3 user guide)), checked 2026-10-17

  • Xone Controller EditorFree app

    Allen & Heath's editor for macOS and Windows sets each control's MIDI message, LED colour and layer and stores user maps; version 1.0.1 also installs firmware v1.0.4, which fixes LED feedback with K1 and K2 mappings Manufacturer spec sheet (Allen & Heath (release notes)), checked 2026-10-17

  • A case or stand (optional)Not in the box

    The box holds the K3, a 1 m USB-C to USB-C cable, a QR card and a safety booklet; there is no case or stand Manufacturer spec sheet (Allen & Heath (Xone:K3 user guide)), checked 2026-10-17

Key specs

Software
Any class-compliant MIDI software; official mappings for djay Pro, VirtualDJ and Bitwig Studio
Standalone
No (MIDI controller for a computer, tablet or phone; no audio inputs or outputs)
Buttons
30 RGB-backlit buttons: a 16-button switch matrix, 12 pot switches, LAYER and SHIFT
Weight
1.25 kg
Power
USB bus power, 5 V, 450 mA max (2.25 W); or over X:LINK from a Xone mixer, K1 or K2
Controls
52: 12 pots (270 degrees), 6 endless push encoders, 4 faders, 30 buttons
All 13 specifications
Layers
3 latching layers; up to 174 MIDI controls per map
Faders
4 x 60 mm linear faders
USB
USB-C, USB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mbps), class-compliant MIDI; several K3s can share one host
X:LINK
2 x RJ45 (in and out), data; links to Xone mixers and other K-series controllers
LED feedback
34 RGB LEDs, 16-colour palette
Stored maps
Factory map (works like a Xone:K2) plus 3 user maps on the unit
Dimensions (W x D x H)
135 x 358 x 49.5 mm (5.3 x 14.1 x 2 in)

13 of 13 figures sourced; hover one for its source

Our take

Rory TassellWritten from the sources on this page, not from a loan unit.

Evidence is thin: two professional reviews, both recommending it, and five owner reviews at Thomann. They agree the diecast build is a step up from the K2, the RGB buttons make three layers easy to follow, and K2 mappings carry over. The reservations are the missing audio interface, no case or stand in the box, and mapping work in Traktor and Serato. Buy it as a MIDI add-on beside a mixer or interface, not as a sound source.

What it is

Status, October 2026: current. Allen & Heath still lists the Xone:K3.

What it is

The Xone:K3 is a compact MIDI controller from Allen & Heath, the maker of the Xone:92 and Xone:24 DJ mixers. Allen & Heath announced it on 7 October 2025 as the update to the Xone:K2 (press release). Unlike the K2, it has no audio interface: it sends MIDI only, so sound comes from a computer, an interface or a mixer.

It has 52 controls: 12 rotary pots, each with an RGB-backlit button below it, six endless encoders with push switches, four 60 mm faders, a 16-button switch matrix and LAYER and SHIFT buttons. Three latching layers give up to 174 MIDI controls per map. The free Xone Controller Editor sets each control's MIDI message and LED colour and stores up to three user maps on the unit; the factory map works like a Xone:K2, so K1 and K2 mappings carry over.

It is class-compliant USB MIDI, needing no drivers on macOS, Windows, iOS or most Android devices, and takes its power from the USB-C port. Two X:LINK sockets (RJ45) connect it to Xone mixers such as the Xone:96 and Xone:PX5 or to other K-series controllers, and a Xone mixer, K1 or K2 can power it that way. Allen & Heath publishes official mappings for djay Pro, VirtualDJ and Bitwig Studio; VirtualDJ needs a paid licence.

It measures 135 x 358 x 49.5 mm and weighs 1.25 kg, in a diecast chassis with a steel front panel. The box holds the controller, a 1 m USB-C to USB-C cable, a QR card linking to the latest resources and a safety booklet (user guide).

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