Why does Xiaomi sound better than its competitors?
Ever wondered why Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO smartphones, even with low-cost speakers, often sound richer and more voluminous than other brands’ flagships? The secret lies not only in the hardware but also in the software — namely, the little-known Dirac Control Service system app, which runs in the background, optimizing the sound for a particular device model, but most users do not even know it exists.
If you've taken a look at the installed app list and stumbled upon the enigmatic com.dirac.service or just "Dirac," don't rush to turn it off! In this article, we'll go into detail about what Dirac Control Service is, how it affects your Xiaomi sound, whether it can be removed without consequences, and most importantly, how to set it up for maximum sound enjoyment. From standard speakers to LDAC-enable headphones, it affects everything.
Spoiler: After reading it, you will learn to include hidden sound modes that Xiaomi does not advertise in standard settings!
What is Dirac Control Service and how does it work?
Dirac Control Service is proprietary software from Swedish company Dirac Research, which specializes in audio processing algorithms. Xiaomi licenses the technology for its devices to compensate for the limitations of small speakers and improve the perception of sound through headphones. Unlike standard equalizers, Dirac operates at the DSP (digital signal processor) level, analyzing the frequency characteristics of a particular smartphone model and applying real-time correction.
The technology uses several key components:
- 🎛️ Adaptive correction of frequency frequency – automatically aligns the frequency balance for the acoustic features of the speakers of your device.
- 🔊 Virtual subwoofer – amplifies low frequencies without distortion, even on small speakers.
- 🎧 Optimization for headphones – creates a “volume sound” effect (similar to Dolby Atmos, but with less load on the processor).
- 📱 Dynamic compression – prevents clipping (distortion) at high volume.
Interestingly, Dirac is not only used in smartphones, but is used in premium car audio systems (Volvo, BMW), home theaters (Dolby, DTS), and even professional studio monitors. At Xiaomi, it is adapted for mobile devices and works in tandem with a Qualcomm chipset (which may not be available on MediaTek models).
What Xiaomi devices have Dirac Control Service on?
Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with this technology, and here are the key criteria for its availability:
| Series of devices | Dirac's presence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 12/13/14 | ✅ Yes. | Full support including LDAC and aptX modes |
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | ✅ Yes (except for basic models) | A stripped-down version without a virtual subwoofer |
| POCO F3/F4/F5 | ✅ Yes. | Activated only with headphones |
| Redmi 9/10 | ❌ No. | The standard equalizer Mi Sound Enhancer is used |
| Xiaomi Civi | ✅ Yes. | Optimized for multimedia |
To check if you have Dirac Control Service on your device:
- Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Search for Dirac or com.dirac.service.
- If the application is available but disabled, turn it on (see the next section).
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On devices with MediaTek Helio (e.g. Redmi 9A), Mi Sound Enhancer is used instead of Dirac, a simplified alternative with fewer features.
How to turn on and tune Dirac for better sound?
Dirac Control Service is the default mode, but its settings are hidden from the user, and you need to activate the hidden audio menu to access them.
☑️ Activation of hidden Dirac settings
Once activated, you will have additional options in the audio menu (Settings → Sound → Sound quality).
- 🎵 Presets equalizer: from "Basas"+" To "The Voice" (we recommend trying "Dynamic" for music).
- 🔇 Virtual subwoofer: only activated when connected headphones.
- 🎧 Mode for headphones: optimization for LDAC, aptX or standard AAC.
- 🔊 Speaker correction: improves the sound of the built-in speakers (the effect is noticeable on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with symmetrical speakers).
Important: Dirac settings are reset after the MIUI update. To save your presets, back up via Settings → System → Backup by selecting "Sound settings."
What to do if the Dirac menu doesn’t appear?
Can I remove Dirac Control Service without consequences?
Technically, you can remove the com.dirac.service system app, but it will result in a complete loss of all sound effects, including bass correction and virtual environments. The sound will become flat, especially on budget models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X3), where the hardware itself is weak.
If you still want to turn it off (for example, because of suspicions of increased battery consumption), do it correctly:
- Get root rights (at your own risk!).
- Use it. ADB-Command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.dirac.service
- Reset the device.
⚠️ Note: On some devices (Xiaomi) 12T, POCO F4) Disabling Dirac causes android.process.media error when playing video.
The alternative is to freeze the app with Lucky Patcher or Titanium Backup, which is less risky than deleting it completely and allows you to get it back.
Dirac vs. Dolby Atmos: Which is better on Xiaomi?
Many users ask: if you have both Dirac and Dolby Atmos (for example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra), which service is better to use?
| Criteria | Dirac Control Service | Dolby Atmos |
|---|---|---|
| The quality of bass | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (deep, undeformed) | ⭐⭐⭐ (may wheez at maximum) |
| Volume of sound | ⭐⭐⭐ (natural) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (artificial, "film-like") |
| Battery load | Low (~1-2% per hour) | Average (~3-5% per hour) |
| Compatibility with headphones | Better for LDAC/aptX | Better for AAC/SBC |
Our advice:
- 🎶 For music (especially bass) choose Dirac with the preset Bass.+".
- 🎬 For movies and games, turn on Dolby Atmos in Movie Mode".
- 🔋 To save battery, disable both services and use the standard equalizer.
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Dirac is better for audiophiles, and Dolby Atmos is better for moviegoers. On Xiaomi, you can combine them, but this will increase battery consumption.
Common Dirac Problems and How to Fix Them
Despite the benefits, Dirac Control Service sometimes doesn't work properly, and here are the typical problems and solutions:
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The sound became quieter or wheezing appeared, reset Dirac settings through Settings → Annexes → Dirac → Warehouse → Clear the data. It'll bring back the factory pretzels.
Problem 1: The sound is lost when you connect Bluetooth headphones.
Solution: Turn off Absolute Size in Bluetooth device settings and restart Dirac Service:
adb shell am force-stop com.dirac.serviceProblem 2: When playing music, you hear clicks or cracks.
Solution: This is a conflict with Mi Sound Enhancer. Turn it off in Settings → Sound → Sound Quality → Sound Improvement.
Problem 3: Dirac doesn’t work after resetting.
Solution: Activate it again using the code ##364## or install the MIUI update via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
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If after the sound manipulation, the smartphone started warming up, check the load on the processor in AIDA64. Dirac should not consume more than 5% of the CPU in the background.