How to tune the sound on Xiaomi wireless headphones: from bass to noise maker

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories, thanks to a combination of price, quality and functionality. However, even the most advanced models like the AirDots Pro 3 or Buds 4 Pro often sound “not the way you’d like it to sound”: weak bass, a quiet microphone or an annoying noise of the environment. The problem is not the headphones themselves, but the wrong settings – both at the device level and on the smartphone.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust the sound on Xiaomi wireless headphones: from basic connection to fine customization of the equalizer, switching on the noisemaker and synchronization with the smartphone (1/2/3/Pro), Buds (3/4/Pro), FlipBuds and others, and we'll also talk about how to fix typical problems, like when one earbud sounds louder than another or the microphone doesn't work in calls.

Important: settings may differ depending on the version of the headphone firmware and the smartphone model (MIUI, Android or iOS. We will specify all the nuances for each case.

1.Preparation: compatibility check and headphone connection

Before you adjust the sound, make sure your Xiaomi headphones are properly connected to the device.Errors at this stage can lead to audio problems later - for example, communication breaks or poor transmission quality.

For most models (AirDots) 3 Pro, Buds 4 and newer) Bluetooth protocol is used 5.2/5.3 codec-enabled AAC and LC3. Older devices (such as AirDots) 1) work SBC, You can check the current codec in the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone.

• 📱 For Android (MIUI): Open the settings. → Bluetooth, find your headphones and click on the gear next to the name.
• 🍎 For iOS: Press the headphone icon in the Bluetooth control panel – the protocol information will appear (usually). AAC).
• 🔄 If the codec isn't optimal, turn off your headphones, reboot your smartphone, and reconnect. SBC on AAC.

⚠️ Attention: Headphones Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and newer support LDAC (High-quality codec, but only when connected to smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco on MIUI 13+. On iPhone or other Android devices LDAC will not work.

If the headphones are not connected at all:

1. Make sure they are charged (the indicator should flash white/red when turned on).
2. Reset the settings: press the button on the case of the charging case for 10-15 seconds (until flashing in red).
3. Update the firmware of the headphones through the Mi Home app or Xiaomi Earbuds.

2. Basic sound settings in the smartphone

The first step to good sound is to set the right settings on the smartphone itself, and even if the headphones support advanced codec, the wrong settings in the system can ruin everything.

Nana MIUI (smartphone Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco) There's a built-in equalizer and settings for Bluetooth devices. On pure Android or iOS, there's limited functionality, but there are workarounds.

Setting up MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco)

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality.
2. Select the Equator and activate it. For bass, we recommend preset Bass Boost or Electronics.
3. Turn on Adaptive sound (if any) – this automatically adjusts the sound to your headphones.
4. For models with LDAC (For example, Buds 4 Pro, select Sound Quality. → Bluetooth audio codec → LDAC.

Setting up on Android (not) MIUI) iOS

Other devices may not have an integrated equalizer.

• 🎵 Equalizer Apps: Wavelet (with support) LDAC), Poweramp Equalizer or ViPER4Android (root).
• 🔊 On iOS: Use Settings → Music. → Equalizer (but it only works for Apple Music) for other apps you need Boom 3D or equalizer+.
• 📱 For calls: on Android, enable Voice Improvement in Bluetooth settings (if any).

⚠️ Attention: On the iPhone codec AAC It may work worse than Android because of Apple's limitations. If the sound is interrupted, try turning off high-quality audio in Bluetooth settings.

3. Set up the equalizer through the Xiaomi Earbuds app

The official Xiaomi Earbuds app (formerly Mi Home) lets you fine-tune the sound, turn on the noise-making and update the firmware.The app is available for Android (online) MIUI iOS and other firmware, but the functionality on the iPhone is often cut down.

The application can be downloaded by references:

• 🤖 Android (Google Play)
• 🍎 iOS (App Store)

Step-by-step instructions for setting up the equalizer

1. Connect your headphones to your smartphone and open the Xiaomi Earbuds app.
2. Select your headphone model in the list of devices.
3. Go to the Sound section (or Equator for new versions).
4. Choose one of the presets: 🎶 Balance is a neutral sound. 🔊 Basses - reinforced low frequencies. 🎤 Voice - for podcasts and calls.

• 🔻 Increase 60-250 Hz for bass.
• 🔺 Reduce 2-5 kHz if your voice sounds too harsh.
• Save the settings – they will apply automatically the next time you connect.

Some models (such as the Buds 4 Pro) have additional options:

• 🎧 3D-sound: creates surround sound effect (works only with supported applications).
• 🔇 Adaptive ANC: Automatically adjusts the noise level depending on the environment.

💡

If the app doesn’t have an Equalizer section, upgrade to the latest version or check the compatibility of your headphone model. For example, AirDots 1 doesn’t support equalizer tuning through the app.

4 (ANC) Transparency mode: how to set up and when to use

Active noise reduction function (ANC) Available in Xiaomi AirDots models 3 Pro, Buds 3/4 Pro and FlipBuds Pro. It helps to drown out external noises (transport, conversations, air conditioning), but can affect sound quality and operating time.

Transparency Mode, on the other hand, lets in external sounds, which is convenient for talking or orientation in space, and both modes are configured via the Xiaomi Earbuds app or gestures on the headphones themselves.

How to turn on and set up ANC

1. Open the Xiaomi Earbuds app and select your headphones.
2. Go to the Noise Reduction section (or ANC).
3. Select a level. ANC: 🔕 Turned off - no noise. 🔇 Weak – for the office or quiet rooms. 🚆 Strong for transport or the street. ✈️ Adaptive – automatically adjusts (not available on all models).

Adaptive ANC

Speech detection

Transparency Mode (Transparency Mode)

It's included as well. ANC, But in the Transparency section, useful use cases:

• 🗣️ Talking to a colleague or salesperson without removing headphones.
• 🚶 Orientation in space (e.g. crossing a road).
• 🎤 Calls – the voice of the interlocutor will sound more natural.

⚠️ Attention: Long-term use ANC At the maximum level, it reduces headphone life by 15-20%. If the battery is running out too quickly, try reducing the intensity of the noise maker or using it only in noisy places.

5.Sound problems and their solutions

Even after the correct setting, problems can occur: one earphone is quieter than another, the sound is interrupted, the microphone does not work in calls, etc. Let us analyze the most common malfunctions and ways to eliminate them.

🔊 One earphone sounds quieter or doesn’t work

Causes and solutions:

• 🧹 Pollution speaker: clean the mesh with a soft brush or compressed air.
• 🔋 Different charge: Put the headphones in the case for 10 minutes – they are synchronized.
• 🔄 Reset: Press the button on the case for 10 seconds (until flashing red), then plug it back in again.
• 📱 Smartphone problem: Reboot your phone and plug the headphones back in.

🎤 The microphone doesn't work on calls.

A common problem on Xiaomi AirDots and Buds when connecting to an iPhone or older Android device.

• 📞 For calls: in Bluetooth settings on your smartphone, select Use for calls (if there is such a item).
• 🔄 Reconnect: Turn off the headphones, turn on the plane mode for 10 seconds, then reconnect.
• 🎧 Microphone check: Record a voice message – if there’s a sound, the problem is in the call app (try Google Phone or Truecaller).

🔌 The sound is interrupted or there is interference.

Usually associated with interference via Bluetooth or suboptimal codec.

1. Make sure there are no obstacles between the headphones and the smartphone (walls, metal objects).
2. In the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone, change the codec to AAC or SBC (if LDAC).
3. Disable other Bluetooth devices nearby (fitness bracelets, smartwatches).
4. Update the firmware of headphones through the Xiaomi Earbuds app.

💡

If the sound problem has occurred after the headphone firmware update, try rolling it back through the Xiaomi Earbuds app (if the previous version is available).

6. Additional chips: gestures, voice assistant and firmware

Xiaomi's wireless headphones support gesture management, integration with voice assistants (Google Assistant, Siri, Alice), and even firmware customization. Let's take a look at how to use these features for maximum convenience.

Gesture management

Most models (Buds 4 Pro, AirDots 3 Pro) support the following gestures:

• 👆 Double touch: playback / pause, accepting a call.
• 👇 Triple touch: moving to the next track (on some models).
• 👈 Retention: Enabling noise-making/transparency or calling a voice assistant.

You can set up gestures in the Xiaomi Earbuds app in the Control section, for example, you can reassign retention to Alice's call instead of the noise maker.

Voice assistants

Xiaomi headphones support:

• 🤖 Google Assistant: activated by retention (on Android).
• 🍎 Siri: Works on iPhone after settings → Siri and search.
• 🗣️ Alice (Yandex): requires installation of the Yandex application and settings in Xiaomi Earbuds.

Firmware update

Regular firmware updates fix sound bugs, add new codec and features. You can check the relevance in the Xiaomi Earbuds app:

1. Open the app and select your headphones.
2. Go to the Firmware Update section.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the headphones!).

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update process - this can lead to "bricking" of the headphones (they will stop turning on). If the update is hanging, put the headphones in the case and wait 10 minutes, then try again.

7. Sound optimization for specific scenarios

Sound settings depend on how you use your headphones, whether it's for music, podcasts, games or calls, and we'll sort out the optimal settings for each case.

🎵 Music and media

For listening to music, we recommend:

• 🎛️ Equator: Preset Bass or manual setting with 60-150 Hz gain.
• 🎧 Codec: LDAC (if supported) or AAC.
• 🔇 ANC: Weak or off (so as not to lose sound details).

🎮 Games

In games, latency is important to minimize:

• 🎮 Use the codec. SBC or AAC (They have a lower delay than LDAC).
• 🔊 Turn it off. ANC — It adds a delay in sound processing.
• 📱 In Android Developer Settings, turn off the absolute volume of Bluetooth (this reduces the lags).

📞 Calls and voice messages

For maximum legibility of voice:

• 🎤 Microphone: Use Transparency Mode or Turn Off ANC.
• 🔊 Equalizer: stops Voice or manual setting with gain of 1-3 kHz.
• 📱 On Android: Enable Voice Improvement in Bluetooth Settings.

💡

For music streaming (Spotify, YouTube Music) in the app, enable the option “High quality” – this is especially important when using codecs. AAC or LDAC.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the sound setting on Xiaomi headphones