Short answer: the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It ranks #1 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $325; the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen ranks #5, rated 4.0/5, and costs $349, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen: A compact smart speaker with natural, spacious sound that tunes itself to the room, ideal for Apple Music and AirPlay users. The tradeoff: What Hi-Fi’s own comparison found the pricier Sonos Era 300 has more power, punch and detail, and Siri cannot launch Spotify, Tidal or other non-Apple services directly, only Apple Music by voice; everything else has to be sent over AirPlay from a phone.
The Audio Pro C5 MkII is the better-sounding pick. An excellent sounding medium home speaker, with fairly neutral sound, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, and an RCA input for a turntable.
Buy the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 PM 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Apple HomePod 2nd Gen | Audio Pro C5 MkII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.00 each | $325 each |
| Ranked | #5 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #1 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (detachable cable) | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | No | Partially |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)) |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field array, no physical mute switch) | - |
| EQ | Yes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) | No |
| Drivers | 4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters | 4” woofer, 2x 0.75” tweeters |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | Bluetooth, Wifi, RCA |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 5.6” x 5.6” (170 x 142 x 142 mm) | 9.8” x 5.1” x 5.9” (250 x 130 x 150 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer line out |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 41W (2x8W + 25W) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
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