Short answer: the Amazon Echo Dot Max. It ranks #3 of 8 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $119.99; the B&O Beosound 2 ranks #4 and costs $4000, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Amazon Echo Dot Max: RTINGS found the microphone excellent at picking up commands from a distance or in noise, with a balanced midrange for accurate voices and consistent sound across listening angles. The tradeoff: Engadget’s main complaint was that it is a real step down from the discontinued Echo (4th Gen) it effectively replaces at the same price: that older speaker paired a 3-inch woofer with dual 0.8-inch tweeters, against the Dot Max’s single 2.5-inch woofer and one tweeter, and frequencies felt smushed together without a clean bass-to-treble separation.
The case for the B&O Beosound 2: A beautifully made, compact Wi-Fi speaker with omnidirectional playback, Chromecast, AirPlay, Bluetooth with AAC/aptX, optical and aux inputs, app EQ, voice control and Beolink multiroom. The tradeoff: Its bass-forward balance can recess the mids, and its 94dB maximum level is modest for a speaker intended to fill larger spaces.
Buy the Amazon Echo Dot Max. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Amazon Echo Dot Max | B&O Beosound 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.99 each | $4,000.00 each |
| Ranked | #3 of 8 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #4 of 4 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa Home Theater) | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | No | 360-degree |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Alexa) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field, mic mute) | - |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 2.5in woofer, 1x tweeter | 1x 5.5" + passive radiator woofer |
| Discontinued | No | - |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Aux, Optical, Chromecast |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes, 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 4.4" x 4.9" (99 x 112 x 124 mm) | 11.8" x 11.8" (300 x 300 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ | Yes (Google Assistant) |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~45Hz |
| Weight | - | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | - | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | passive radiator |
| Amplifier Power | - | 200W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 94dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Amazon Echo Dot Max:
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Google Nest Audio
- Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen vs Amazon Echo Dot Max
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Google Home Speaker
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Amazon Echo Dot Max: $119.99 each Amazon eBay
Pros: Engadget’s direct verdict against the base Echo Dot: “it’s worth stepping up to the Dot Max over the standard Dot” for sound, since it’s louder and bassier from a 2.5-inch woofer plus a dedicated tweeter rather than one small full-range driver. RTINGS names it their best budget Alexa speaker, finding the microphone excellent at picking up commands from a distance or in noise, with a balanced midrange for accurate voices, consistent sound across listening angles, and sound quality it calls good for the price. It supports Alexa+ and Alexa Home Theater pairing with a Fire TV Stick.
Cons: Engadget’s main complaint was that it is a real step down from the discontinued Echo (4th Gen) it effectively replaces at the same price: that older speaker paired a 3-inch woofer with dual 0.8-inch tweeters, against the Dot Max’s single 2.5-inch woofer and one tweeter, and frequencies felt smushed together without a clean bass-to-treble separation. RTINGS’ one listed con is that the wired-only design means you cannot carry it around. There is no 3.5mm input, no battery, and Bluetooth is limited to SBC and AAC.
Full Amazon Echo Dot Max review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Alexa) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field, mic mute) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 4.4" x 4.9" (99 x 112 x 124 mm) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 2.5in woofer, 1x tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa Home Theater) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Google Nest Audio
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen
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- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen
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- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Google Home Max
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B&O Beosound 2: $4,000.00 each Amazon eBay
Pros: A beautifully made, compact Wi-Fi speaker with omnidirectional playback, Chromecast, AirPlay, Bluetooth with AAC/aptX, optical and aux inputs, app EQ, voice control and Beolink multiroom. Reviews praise its even scaling at low volume, spacious room-filling presentation and convincing bass for a single 4.1kg enclosure. Measured bass extension of ~45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Its bass-forward balance can recess the mids, and its 94dB maximum level is modest for a speaker intended to fill larger spaces. There is no battery or water rating, so this is a mains-powered indoor product; its luxury design and streaming feature set matter more than outright value or neutral hi-fi accuracy.
Full B&O Beosound 2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~45Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 11.8" (300 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 5.5" + passive radiator woofer |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, Optical, Chromecast |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | 360-degree |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Yes (Google Assistant) |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beosound 2 vs JBL Authentics 500
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- B&O Beosound 2 vs Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen
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- B&O Beosound 2 vs Google Home Speaker
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