Short answer: the B&O Beosound 2 if sound quality matters most, the Google Home Max if price matters most. The B&O Beosound 2 ranks #4 of 4 powered desktop speakers at $4000. The Google Home Max ranks #10 at $399, $3601 cheaper.
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. 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 tradeoff: 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 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Google Home Max if the price matters more than sound quality.
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 | #4 of 4 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #10 of 14 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 | 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, 5.3 | Yes, 4.2 |
| IP Rating | - | None |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes (6 far-field mics for Smart Sound room correction) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Streaming Services | - | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Google Home Max:
- Google Home Max vs JBL Authentics 200
- B&O Beosound 2 vs JBL Authentics 200
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs B&O Beosound 2
- B&O Beosound 2 vs JBL Authentics 500
- B&O Beosound 2 vs B&W Zeppelin Pro
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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 eBay
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 →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~45Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beosound 2 vs JBL Authentics 500
- B&O Beosound 2 vs B&W Zeppelin Pro
- B&O Beosound 2 vs B&O Beosound Level
- B&O Beosound 2 vs Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen
- B&O Beosound 2 vs Amazon Echo Dot Max
- B&O Beosound 2 vs Amazon Echo Pop
- B&O Beosound 2 vs Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen
- B&O Beosound 2 vs Google Home Speaker
- See all 11 comparisons
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 Nest Audio. Discontinued.
Full Google Home Max review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 6x Class-D amplifiers |
| App | Yes (Google Home) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Google Home Max vs JBL Authentics 200
- Google Home Max vs Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen
- Google Home Max vs Amazon Echo Dot Max
- Google Home Max vs Amazon Echo Pop
- Google Home Max vs Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen
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- Google Home Max vs Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen
- See all 9 comparisons