Where is the microphone in Xiaomi wireless headphones: instructions for search and diagnosis

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are among the most popular gadgets on the market, thanks to a combination of price, sound 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 located on the cable, the TWS-The location of the headphones (True Wireless Stereo) can vary depending on the series and generation.

In this article, we will look at where the microphone is in different Xiaomi models, from the budget Redmi Airdots to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. You will learn how to visually identify microphone holes, why there can be several, and what to do if the interlocutor can not hear you, and we will give practical tips for care and diagnostics of malfunctions without contacting the service center.

Design Features: Why Microphones Are Multiple

Most of them. TWS-Xiaomi's headphones use a system of two or three microphones for each headphone, and it's not a coincidence, it's a smart engineering solution:

• 🎤 The main microphone is responsible for the transmission of voice during calls, usually located closer to the front of the body to better capture sound.
• 🔊 Additional microphones – used for noise reduction (ANC) They can be on the back or the bottom of the panel.
• 🌪️ Microphone for wind recognition – premium models (such as the Buds 3 Pro) have a separate sensor that suppresses wind noise.

This is called beamforming, where multiple microphones work in sync to focus on the user’s voice and sift out extraneous sounds. For example, the Xiaomi Buds 4 uses Dual-Mic Noise Cancellation technology, which requires at least two microphones for each earpiece.

If you're trying to find a microphone to clean or check, it's important to understand that not all the holes on the case are microphones.

• 🔋 Ventilation holes - to equalize the pressure inside the housing.
• 🔊 Dynamic membranes are the output of sound (they are easily confused with microphone grilles).
• 📶 Antenna modules - for wireless communication (found in models with Bluetooth 5.2)+).

Where to look for a microphone: a visual guide to models

The location of the microphones depends on the headphone series, and below we have gathered up-to-date data for the most common Xiaomi models (information confirmed by disassemblies and official specifications).

Use a magnifying glass or flashlight to accurately identify the microphones in your model - the holes usually have a fine metal mesh (unlike the vents, which are larger and unprotected). In Buds 4 Pro models, the microphones are additionally marked with laser engraving. MIC near-hole.

💡

If you're not sure which one is the microphone, try blowing into each one. The microphone will transmit the wind to the connected device (check through voice recording).

How to check the efficiency of the microphone

If someone complains that they can't hear you, or if they're making noises, you first need to make sure that the problem is with the headphone microphone, not the smartphone or the network connection.

Connect the headphones to your smartphone and start recording voice (for example, via voice recorder)

Talk to your headphones at a distance 10-15 cm from the mouth - the sound should be clear, without wheezing

Try using headphones to make a call (for example, via WhatsApp or a standard phone)

Check the second headphone – in some models, the microphone works only in the right or left.

Reset the headphone settings (press the button on the case for 10 seconds) and repeat the test-->

If the sound is recorded with interference or not recorded at all, the problem may be:

• 🧹 Microphone lattice contamination – dust, earwax or moisture block sound.
• 🔋 Low battery power – at levels below 10%, the microphone can be turned off to save energy.
• 📱 Device incompatibility – some smartphones (especially iPhones) require manual selection of headphones as input devices.

For a deeper diagnosis, specialized applications can be used, for example:

• Microphone Test (Android) – shows the signal level from the microphone in real time.
• Decibel X (iOS/Android) — gauges the sensitivity of the microphone.
• Xiaomi Earphones (official software) – checks the compatibility and settings of the headphones.

💡

If the microphone only works in one headphone, this is normal for models with a one-way microphone (for example, Redmi Airdots 2).

Cleaning the microphone: step-by-step instructions

Microphone clogging is the most common cause of poor communication, and unlike speakers, microphones can't be cleaned with wet wipes or alcohol, because it can damage the membrane. Here's a safe algorithm:

1. Preparation: Take the headphones out of the case and make sure they're off. Use a soft brush (for example, for drawing or cleaning lenses) or a cotton-tipped toothpick.
2. Dry cleaning: gently brush the microphone holes, removing visible dust particles. Don't press hard - the microphone membrane is very thin!
3. Purging: Use a rubber pear (for example, to blow out cameras) or a can of compressed air. 5-7 (c) to avoid damaging the components.
4. Check: After cleaning, test the microphone through voice recording. If the quality has not improved, repeat the procedure or contact the service.

For models with active noise cancellation (ANC) Microphone cleaning is recommended once in a while. 2-3 months, because the system is more sensitive to clogging. - Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and newer microphones are coated with a hydrophobic layer, but this does not protect against mechanical damage.

⚠️ Attention: if the microphone stopped working after cleaning, you may have damaged the contacts of the membrane. TWS-Headphones are almost impossible due to the miniature size of the components.

Problems with the microphone: causes and solutions

If the microphone in Xiaomi headphones doesn’t work or doesn’t work well, the reasons can be divided into three categories: hardware, software and external. Below is a table with typical faults and ways to fix them.

Special attention should be paid to software failures, for example, in headphones Xiaomi Buds. 4 Pro sometimes there is a firmware conflict with some smartphones (especially on the Internet). MIUI 13-14). In this case, it will help:

1. Reset headphone settings (press the button on the case for 15 seconds).
2. Update the firmware through the official application Xiaomi Earphones.
3. Reconnect headphones in the mode Forget the device on the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: if after updating the firmware microphone stopped working, try to roll back the version of the software. To do this, contact Xiaomi support - independent downgrade can lead to loss of warranty.

Comparison of microphones in different models Xiaomi

The quality of the microphones in Xiaomi headphones depends on the price category. Budget models (Redmi Airdots) are equipped with the simplest omnidirectional microphones that catch sound from all sides, but do not cope with noise. The premium series (Buds Pro) uses directional microphones with support for beamforming and ANC.

Below is a comparative table of key characteristics of microphones in popular models:

The Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro headphones use a unique technology Dual-Mic Array with artificial intelligence, which analyzes the user’s voice and automatically suppresses up to 99% of background noise (according to the manufacturer), which makes them one of the best in the segment for communication quality, but the cost of such models is appropriate.

If the quality of the microphone is critical to you (for example, for calls or streams), pay attention to models with:

• 🎙️ Higher sensitivity -38 DB – better to catch a quiet voice.
• 🌬️ Wind protection – relevant for use on the street.
• 🔇 Adaptive ANC — It automatically adjusts to the noise level.

Frequent questions about microphones in Xiaomi headphones