Short answer: the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen. It ranks #5 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $349; the B&O Beosound 2 ranks #7, rated 3.7/5, and costs $4,000, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for 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. Watch for: 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.
What the B&O Beosound 2 does well: A beautifully made luxury Wi-Fi speaker that fills a room in every direction, with Chromecast, AirPlay, optical input and multiroom. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen. 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 Apple HomePod 2nd Gen. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound 2 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A compact smart speaker with natural, spacious sound that tunes itself to the room, ideal for Apple Music and AirPlay users.
A beautifully made luxury Wi-Fi speaker that fills a room in every direction, with Chromecast, AirPlay, optical input and multiroom.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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 | B&O Beosound 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.00 each | $4,000.00 each |
| Ranked | #5 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #7 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (detachable cable) | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | No | 360-degree |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| 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 (via app) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters | 1x 5.5” + passive radiator woofer |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | 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 | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 5.6” x 5.6” (170 x 142 x 142 mm) | 11.8” x 11.8” (300 x 300 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | Yes (Google Assistant) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~45Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | - | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | passive radiator |
| Amplifier Power | - | 200W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 94dB |
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