Short answer: the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen on measured sound quality, the Edifier D12 on price. The Apple HomePod 2nd Gen ranks #5 of 28 powered desktop speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $349. The Edifier D12 ranks #7, rated 3.8/5, at $179.97, $169.03 cheaper.
The case for the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen: What Hi-Fi gave it a perfect 5 stars for sound and a What Hi-Fi Award, calling it natural, solid and energetic with a spacious, three-dimensional presentation on Dolby Atmos content. It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Edifier D12 cannot. It links with other speakers (AirPlay 2 multi-room), which the Edifier D12 cannot. 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 case for the Edifier D12: Ac-powered operation and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. 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.
Buy the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier D12 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Apple HomePod 2nd Gen | Edifier D12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.00 each | $179.97 each |
| Ranked | #5 of 28 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #7 of 28 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (detachable cable) | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field array, no physical mute switch) | - |
| EQ | Yes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction) | Yes (Bass/Treble controls) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) | No |
| Drivers | 4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters | 2x 4” woofers, 2x 19mm silk dome tweeters |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | Bluetooth, Aux, 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) | 14.1” x 6.3” x 8” (359 x 159 x 203.5 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 57Hz |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer line out |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | - | 54Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 70W (R/L treble: 15W+15W, R/L mid-bass: 20W+20W) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Apple HomePod 2nd Gen: $349.00 each Amazon $349.00 eBay
Older model: the Apple HomePod (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5). See every Apple HomePod generation.
Pros: What Hi-Fi gave it a perfect 5 stars for sound and a What Hi-Fi Award, calling it natural, solid and energetic with a spacious, three-dimensional presentation on Dolby Atmos content. A 4-inch high-excursion woofer moves 20mm of travel, paired with five angled horn-loaded tweeters, and the S7 chip continuously measures the room and re-tunes the output in real time, even as you move the speaker. “Hey Siri” is reliably heard from across a room even at full volume, and two units can be stereo-paired for a genuinely bigger sound.
Cons: 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. There is no way to stream to it over Bluetooth at all, no 3.5mm or other wired input, no battery, and no IP rating, so it’s an AC-only speaker for an already-committed Apple household.
Full Apple HomePod 2nd Gen review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field array, no physical mute switch) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 5.6” x 5.6” (170 x 142 x 142 mm) |
| Drivers | 4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (detachable cable) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| XLR Input | No |
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Edifier D12: $179.97 each Amazon $179.97 eBay
Pros: At 4.6 kg, Edifier D12 combines 2x 4” woofers, 2x 19mm silk dome tweeters with Bluetooth, Aux, RCA. Ac-powered operation and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. A very good value for a desktop speaker. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 57Hz specification. There is no companion app.
Full Edifier D12 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 70W (R/L treble: 15W+15W, R/L mid-bass: 20W+20W) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1” x 6.3” x 8” (359 x 159 x 203.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4” woofers, 2x 19mm silk dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble controls) |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Subwoofer line out |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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