Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are among the most popular gadgets on the market, thanks to a combination of price, quality and functionality. However, many users have difficulty finding a built-in microphone, especially if you need to check its performance or clean it from dust. Unlike wired models, where the microphone is often placed on the cable, the TWS-Headphones (True Wireless Stereo) it is hidden in the case, and its location depends on the specific model.
In this article, we will look at where the microphone is in different Xiaomi lines, from the budget Redmi Buds to the flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds. You will learn how to visually identify microphone holes, how to check their performance through a smartphone, and what to do if the interlocutor does not hear you. We will also look at the typical causes of breakdowns and how to fix them without going to the service center.
Particular attention will be paid to models with noise reduction (ENC), And if you use headphones to make calls, streams or voice commands, this information will help you avoid common problems.
What does the microphone look like in Xiaomi wireless headphones
Most of them. TWS-Xiaomi headphones microphone is a tiny hole (or several holes) with a diameter of 0.5-1.5 mm, covered with a protective net. It is easy to confuse with ventilation ducts or infrared sensors, so it is important to know the exact landmarks.
Main visual features:
- 🔍 Location: usually on the lower or lateral part of the headphone body (on the side facing the face when wearing.
- 🎤 Shape: round or oval opening, often with a metal or plastic grille.
- 📏 Size: Smaller than speaker hole, but larger than indicator LED.
- 🔊 Number: In models with noise reduction (for example, Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2) can be 2-3 microphones for each headphone.
In some models (such as the Redmi Buds 4 Active), the microphone hole is hidden under a silicone plug or integrated into a control button.
Location of the microphone in popular models Xiaomi
The manufacturer doesn't always specify the exact location of the microphones in the documentation, but design analysis and user tests allow you to make a clear map.
| Model headphones | Number of microphones | Location. | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi AirDots (1-3 generation) | 1 on the headphone | Lower part of the body (near the button) | Often clogged due to an open hole |
| Redmi Buds 3/4 Pro | 2 on the headphone | One hole on the bottom panel, the second on the end (closer to the ear) | Supports ENC noise-canceling |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro | 3 on the headphone | Two on the outside, one on the inside (under the silicone tip) | Active noise reduction requires cleaning all the holes |
| Xiaomi Buds 4 | 2 on the headphone | Holes at the upper and lower edges | Microphones protected by hydrophobic coating (IP54) |
In models with stem (for example, Xiaomi Air 2) SE) The microphone is often located at the end of the leg, as in the Apple AirPods, which makes it easier to capture the voice, but increases the risk of mechanical damage.
Why do some models have two microphones?
How to check the efficiency of the microphone
If the person complains of hearing loss or you suspect a microphone malfunction, you can do a few steps of diagnostics, starting with software methods that don't require disassembling the device.
Method 1: Using built-in smartphone tools
- 📱 Android: Open the voice recorder or voice search app and record a short message. Play the recording to evaluate the sound quality.
- 🍎 iPhone: Run Voice Notes and Check the Record for Noise or Distortion.
- 🎧 Install Microphone Test (Android) or Decibel X (iOS) for detailed microphone sensitivity analysis.
Method 2: Testing by Bell
Call another phone or use services like echo-service.ru that repeat your voice.
- 🔇 Extraneous noise (wind, crackling, hissing).
- 🗣️ The volume of your voice (too quiet or loud).
- 🔄 Delays in sound transmission (lags).
Check the voice recording in the recorder.
Make a test call to another phone
Clean the microphone holes from dust
Update the headphone firmware (if available)
Try headphones with another device (smartphone/PC)
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Method 3: Visual inspection
Take a flashlight and a magnifying glass to look at the microphone holes.
- 🚫 Pollution (dust, earwax, tissue fibers).
- 💧 Traces of moisture or corrosion (especially after rain/sports).
- 🔧 Mechanical damage (dents, scratches on the grille).
💡
If the microphone doesn’t work in just one headphone, try resetting your headphones to factory settings, and hold the button on both earphones for 10 to 15 seconds until the light flashes red and white.
Typical microphone problems and their solutions
Even new Xiaomi headphones can have voice problems, and let’s look at the most common causes and ways to fix them.
⚠️ Warning: If the headphones were in the water or were subjected to a strong vibration (for example, falling from a height), the microphone could move away from the board.
Problem 1: The interviewee hears an echo or delay
Reasons:
- 📶 Unstable Bluetooth connection: Reconnect your headphones, make sure the distance to your smartphone is less than 10 meters.
- 🔄 Codec conflict: In the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone, select the codec SBC instead AAC or.
- 🎛️ Noise reduction settings: Turn off ENC in the Mi Earphones app (if available).
Problem 2: The microphone is not working.
Action:
- Check if the microphone is physically silenced (e.g., with a silicone tip in FlipBuds models).
- Update the firmware of headphones through the official Xiaomi Wear app.
- Reset the headphone settings (see the instructions in the section above).
- Try connecting the headphones to another device (PC, tablet).
Problem 3: Extraneous noise (cracking, hissing)
Decisions:
- 🧹 Clean microphone holes with a soft brush or compressed air (a canister for technique).
- 🔋 Check the battery power – at a low level (<20%) The quality of voice transmission may be deteriorating.
- 🛠️ If the headphones have been repaired, make sure the microphone is properly connected to the board.
💡
80% of cases of microphone problems in Xiaomi TWS Mechanical failures are less common and usually require specialist intervention.
How to Clean the Microphone in Xiaomi Headphones
Clogging of microphone holes is the main cause of deterioration in sound quality. To clean them without risk of damage, follow this instruction:
Step 1: Preparation of tools
You'll need:
- 🔦 Lantern (for illumination of holes).
- 🖌️ Soft brush (for example, to draw or clean the camera lens).
- 💨 Compressed air container (optional).
- 🧴 Alcohol wipes (for disinfection).
Step 2: Removal of surface contaminants
Carefully swipe the microphone holes, moving from center to edges. Do not use toothpicks or needles - they can damage the protective membrane of the microphone. For hard-to-reach places, use short "puffs" with compressed air (hold the canister at a distance of 5-10 cm).
Step 3: Deep cleaning (with severe contamination)
If the dust is not removed dry:
- Slightly moisten the brush in isopropyl alcohol (no more than 70% concentration).
- Swipe through the holes without pressing hard.
- Allow the headphones to dry for 10-15 minutes before use.
⚠️ Warning: Do not immerse your headphones in liquid or use abrasive materials (such as cotton swabs) that can damage the hydrophobic coating of the microphone.
Step 4: Checking the Results
After cleaning, repeat the microphone test (see section above).If the quality has not improved, the problem may be a software or hardware malfunction.
Software settings to improve the quality of the microphone
Even a good microphone can work suboptimal due to the wrong settings. Let’s consider how to set up Xiaomi headphones for better voice performance.
1. Setup in the Mi app Earphones/Xiaomi Wear
Install an official app for your model:
- 📲 For Android: Xiaomi Wear or Mi Earphones (available on Google Play).
- 🍎 For iOS: Xiaomi Home (limited functionality).
In the annex:
- Activate Noise Reduction when calling (if available).
- Turn off Transparent Mode if it interferes with voice transmission.
- Update the headphone firmware (Update section).
2. Optimization of smartphone settings
On Android:
- Go to Settings. → System system → Developer (if the partition is hidden, activate it by clicking 7 times on the Build Number in About Phone).
- Find the option to turn off the absolute volume of Bluetooth and activate it.
- In Bluetooth settings, select for codec headphones SBC (It is more stable for the voice than AAC).
On the iPhone:
- Turn off the Transparency function in the headphone settings (if it is enabled).
- Make sure that in the settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content disabled by Monoaudio parameter.
3. Use of third-party applications
To fine-tune the microphone:
- 🎛️ Equalizer FX (Android – allows you to adjust the frequency characteristics of the voice.
- 🔊 WoMic (Windows) – for using headphones as a microphone for PCs with improved sound processing.