Short answer: the B&O Beosound 2. It ranks #7 of 10 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $4,000 and is still sold new; the Google Home Max ranks #15 (rated 3.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
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. It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the Google Home Max lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Google Home Max. 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.
The case for the Google Home Max: The most capable driver set of Google’s own smart speakers, with two 4.5-inch high-excursion woofers and two 0.7-inch tweeters across six Class-D amplifiers. The catch: Discontinued by Google since 2020, so it can no longer be bought new; used and refurbished stock is what remains, and RTINGS calls its soundstage mediocre despite the driver count.
Buy the B&O Beosound 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Google Home Max is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound 2 | Google Home Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,000.00 each | $399 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #15 of 28 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~45Hz | - |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC power cord |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) |
| App | Yes | Yes (Google Home) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 11.8” (300 x 300 mm) | 7.5” x 13.2” x 6.1” (190 x 336 x 154 mm) (H x W x D) |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | Yes (Media EQ + Room EQ, automatic via Smart Sound) |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, Optical, Chromecast | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C |
| Stereo | 360-degree | No |
| Voice Assistants | Yes (Google Assistant) | Google Assistant |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| Drivers | 1x 5.5” + passive radiator woofer | 2x 4.5in high-excursion woofers, 2x 0.7in tweeters |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | - |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 6x Class-D amplifiers |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | - | None |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes (6 far-field mics for Smart Sound room correction) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Streaming Services | - | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
B&O Beosound 2: $4,000.00 each Amazon $4,000.00 eBay
Same family: the B&O Beosound 1 (smaller model, rated 3.5/5).
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 →
| Released | Oct 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~45Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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
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Google Home Max: $399 each Discontinued eBay
Pros: The most capable driver set of Google’s own smart speakers, with two 4.5-inch high-excursion woofers and two 0.7-inch tweeters across six Class-D amplifiers. Its Smart Sound feature uses six built-in microphones to measure the room and adjust the equalizer automatically. Owner reviews on Walmart consistently single out its bass depth and clarity, with one directly comparing it favorably to the Amazon Echo Studio and Apple HomePod. Two units can be wirelessly stereo-paired for left/right separation, and it can be grouped with other Google/Nest speakers for multi-room audio.
Cons: Discontinued by Google since 2020, so it can no longer be bought new; used and refurbished stock is what remains, and RTINGS calls its soundstage mediocre despite the driver count. It never gained Apple Music or Tidal support over Wi-Fi. At launch, voice commands could fail to register over loud music, and Bluetooth tops out at version 4.2 with no aptX. At 5.3kg it is heavy and needs real shelf space, and $399 was expensive even in 2017 next to the far cheaper Google Nest Audio.
Full Google Home Max review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2017 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 6x Class-D amplifiers |
| App | Yes (Google Home) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (6 far-field mics for Smart Sound room correction) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 13.2” x 6.1” (190 x 336 x 154 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 2x 4.5in high-excursion woofers, 2x 0.7in tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Media EQ + Room EQ, automatic via Smart Sound) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC power cord |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio |
| TRS Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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