Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Apple HomePod 2nd Gen ranks #5 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $349; the B&O Beosound Level ranks #89 of 117 large speakers by sound quality at $2,250.
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. It links with other speakers (AirPlay 2 multi-room), which the B&O Beosound Level cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the B&O Beosound Level lacks. The catch: 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 B&O Beosound Level is the battery-powered, tougher option. A sculptural luxury speaker that works on battery or mains, mounts on a wall, and streams over Wi-Fi with upgradeable modules. Its battery is rated for 16 hours, while the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen needs an outlet. It is rated IP54, while the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen has no water resistance. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen lacks. The tradeoff: Not very deep bass, peaks in midrange.
Buy the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen ($349) for a powered desktop speaker; the B&O Beosound Level ($2,250) suits a large speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A compact smart speaker with natural, spacious sound that tunes itself to the room, ideal for Apple Music and AirPlay users.
A sculptural luxury speaker that works on battery or mains, mounts on a wall, and streams over Wi-Fi with upgradeable modules.
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 Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.00 each | $2,250.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #89 of 117 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP54 |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (detachable cable) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field array, no physical mute switch) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters | 2x 102mm woofers, 1x 51mm fullrange, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 5.6” x 5.6” (170 x 142 x 142 mm) | 13.7” x 9.1” x 2.2” (348 x 230 x 56 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | Google Assistant |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~60Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | - | 39Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 105W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 96dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
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