How to customize the sound in Xiaomi Bluetooth headphones: from basic synchronization to fine-tuning the equalizer

Xiaomi Bluetooth headphones are some of the most popular gadgets due to their combination of price, quality and functionality. However, even with devices such as the Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 5 or AirDots 3 Pro, users often face problems: quiet sound, distortion, delay when watching videos or improper microphone performance, the reason is not due to a defect in technology, but to the wrong settings – both on the headphone side and on the connected device (smartphone, PC, TV).

In this article, we will discuss all the stages of audio tuning, from basic connection to fine calibration of the equalizer and selection of codecs. You will learn how to fix common problems (for example, 200-300 ms latency when watching YouTube on Android), set up a microphone for calls and optimize the sound for different genres of music.

Important: If you use an active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphone, some of the settings (such as transparent mode) may differ, as we’ll discuss separately. Also note that some features (such as LDAC or aptX Adaptive) are only available on certain smartphone models.

Basic setting: Connection and connection verification

Before you tune the audio, make sure the headphones are properly connected to the device. Errors at this stage often lead to audio problems, from communication interruptions to distortions. Here is a step-by-step guide for Android, iOS and Windows:

• 📱 Android (MIUI/HyperOS): Open the Settings. → Bluetooth, enable device search. Xiaomi headphones should show up as Mi True Wireless, Redmi Buds or similar. Click on them and confirm pairing.
• 🍎 iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings. → Bluetooth, find the headphones in the list and tap to connect. iOS may need to allow access to the microphone.
• 💻 Windows 10/11: Go to the settings. → Devices → Bluetooth, click Add Device and select the headphones from the list. After connecting, check what's in Sound. → The conclusion is chosen.

After connecting, perform the test:

1. Turn on music or video at 50% volume.
2. Step away from the device 3-5 meters (no obstacles).
3. Check if there are any breaks or interference, and if there are any, the problem is the connection, not the sound settings.

⚠️ Note: On Windows, Xiaomi headphones are sometimes defined as "Headphone" instead of "Stereo."This limits sound quality.To fix: Control Panel → Sound. → [Your headphones] → Properties → Additionally. → Please mark "Disable additional functions"

2. Codec Optimization: How to Choose the Best for Your Device

The sound quality of Bluetooth headphones depends largely on the codec used, the audio stream compression algorithm. Xiaomi supports several standards, but not all of them are available on all devices.

How to change the codec on Android:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the Bluetooth Codec and choose the best option: 🎵 For music: LDAC (maximum quality) or aptX HD. 🎮 For games/video: aptX Low Latency (minimum latency). 📞 For calls: AAC or SBC (better-compatibility).

On iOS and Windows, codec choice is limited to the system. iPhone always uses AAC, and Windows defaults to SBC. To change it to aptX, you will need to install drivers from Qualcomm (instruction in the spoiler below).

Setting up the equalizer: selection of sound for genres of music

Even with the right codec, sound can seem "flat" without an equalizer (EQ) setting. Xiaomi headphones have built-in EQ, but its options are limited. It's better to use third-party apps or system tools for fine-tuning.

On Android (MIUI/HyperOS):

1. Open the Music app (standard from Xiaomi).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → equalizer.
3. Choose a preset (Rock, Pop, Classic) or create your own by moving sliders: 🔊 Bass (20–250Hz): Increase for hip-hop, reduce for vocals. 🎶 Medium (250-4000 Hz): Responsible for voice and guitars. 🎧 High (4000–20,000 Hz): Add “air” but excessive amplification leads to hissing.

There is no built-in EQ for iOS, but you can use apps like Equalizer+ or Boom. On Windows, configure the equalizer through Control Panel → Sound → Device Properties → Improvements.

Increase bass (60–100 Hz) and high (10–16 kHz) |Rock: Raise the average (1–3 kHz) for guitars

Reduce bass, raise high (8-12 kHz) |Classic: EQ level with slight gain of averages

Raise bass (40–80 Hz) and high (12–16 kHz) |Electronics: Strengthen low and high, reduce medium-->

⚠️ Warning: Excessive bass enhancement on cheap Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite) can lead to sound distortions due to weak speakers. +2 dB, high +1 dB.

4. Elimination of sound delay (lag) when watching video

Sound delay (100 to 500 ms) is a common problem when watching YouTube, Netflix or games, and it arises from buffering the audio stream in the SBC/AAC codecs.

• 📱 On Android: Switch to aptX Low Latency codec (if supported). Enable game mode in Bluetooth headphone settings (if any). Use manual audio synchronization apps (e.g., manual audio synchronization, VLC with the option “Audio delay»).

On Windows:

aptX

Bluetooth Audio Receiver

On iOS:

AAC

Apple TV

AirPlay

For Smart TVs (e.g. Xiaomi Mi TV):

1. Go to Settings → Sound → Bluetooth output.
2. Choose Low Delay (if available).
3. If you don’t have an option, use a Bluetooth transmitter with aptX LL support.

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If the delay only appears in a particular application (like TikTok), try enabling monosound in the availability settings, which will reduce the load on the processor and can eliminate lag.

5.Mic setting for calls and streams

Mik problems in Xiaomi headphones usually boil down to two scenarios: the interlocutor does not hear you well or hears an echo.

How to improve the quality of the microphone on Android:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Calls → Permissions and check access to the microphone.
2. B Settings → System system → For developers, find the Absolute Bluetooth Volume and turn it off (this will allow you to separately adjust the microphone volume).
3. Use apps like Voice Changer to manually adjust your sensitivity.

For Discord/Zoom:

• In audio settings, select headphones as an input device.
• Activate the options Noise Suppression and Automatic Volume Control.
• If the voice is interrupted, reduce the bitrate of the microphone in the application settings.

6. Solving common sound problems

If after all the settings the sound still does not suit, check these points:

• 🔋 Low headphone charge: With battery levels below 20%, sound quality can deteriorate due to energy savings.charge the headphones up to 50% and check again.
• 🔄 Device conflict: If the headphones are connected to both the phone and the laptop at the same time, the sound can be transmitted with distortion.
• 📦 Firmware problems: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds) 3T Pro) Sound bugs are fixed by software update. Check the relevance of the firmware through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
• 🎛️ Hardware limitations: Budget models (such as Redmi Buds 3 Lite) can't physically play bass below 40Hz. WH-1000XM5.

If one of the headphones is quieter than the other:

1. Clean the speaker mesh from dust (use a soft brush).
2. Reset the headphone settings: Press the button on the case for 10-15 seconds before the red/white indicator flashes.
3. Check the sound balance in the device settings (on Android: Settings → Special features → Mono-audio balance).

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If the sound is still poor after all the manipulations, the problem may be at the source. Check the headphones on another device - if the sound improves, the smartphone / PC is to blame, not the headphones themselves.

7. Additional chips: gestures, voice assistants and ANC

Xiaomi headphones support a number of hidden features that improve the user experience:

• 👆 Control gestures: Double touch - playback / pause. Triple touch - next track. Hold - voice assistant call (Google) Assistant/Siri). Set up gestures in the Xiaomi Wear app (available for most models).
• 🎙️ Voice commands: Activate Ok Google or Hey Siri through the headphone settings. This allows you to control playback without your phone.
• 🔇 Active noise cancellation (ANC): In the models with ANC (So, for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, you can select the noise reduction level: Weak for the office, medium for transport, strong for airplanes, transparent for conversations.

How to turn on the transparent mode (for models with ANC):

1. Hold the touchpad on one of the headphones for 2 seconds.
2. Or use the Xiaomi Wear app: Device Settings → Sound Mode → Transparency.

For owners of Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro, the LDHC function is available - a proprietary codec from Xiaomi, providing a bitrate of up to 900 kbit / s.

1. Update the headphones to the latest version.
2. In Xiaomi Wear, select Settings → Bluetooth Codec → LDHC.
3. Make sure your smartphone supports this codec (the list of compatible models: Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi K60 and newer).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions