Why Xiaomi headphones one speaker is quieter than another – a complete analysis of the causes and solutions

Have you noticed that in your Xiaomi wireless headphones, one speaker sounds noticeably quieter than the other? This problem is common among owners of Redmi Airdots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds, Buds 3/4 Pro and other models. The difference in volume can manifest as a subtle attenuation of sound, and as a complete "loss" of one earphone, in 80% of cases, the problem can be solved independently without going to the service center.

In this article, we will look at all the possible causes of uneven sound, from the banal clogging of the speaker grille to hardware malfunctions of the controller. You will learn how to diagnose in 5 minutes, which settings to check first, and when to really need repair. Particular attention will be paid to models with ANC (active noise cancellation), where the imbalance of sound is often associated with the operation of microphones.

For convenience, we have compiled step-by-step instructions with illustrations from the official Mi Fit/Xiaomi Earbuds software, and added a table of compatibility solutions for different generations of headphones. If you are not sure about your model, use Bluetooth Settings → Device Information on your smartphone to refine the firmware version.

1. Checking the basic settings: why the earphone might sound quieter

Before you disassemble the headphones or bring them to the service, eliminate the software causes of the imbalance. In 30% of cases, the problem is solved by adjusting the settings on the smartphone or in the headset itself.

The first thing to do is:

• 🔊 Balance of sound in settings Android/iOS. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Audio/sound → Stereo balance. Make sure the slider is right in the middle. Even a slight left/right shift can create the illusion of a quiet earpiece.
• 📱 Update to the firmware of the headphones. Launch the Xiaomi Earbuds app (or Mi Fit for older models) and check for updates in the Device section → Redmi Airdots 3 Pro headphones with firmware below version 1.4.6.0 have a bug with a sound imbalance when connecting to the iPhone.
• 🔄 Reset the headphone settings. For most models, put the headphones in the case, press both touchpads for 15 seconds before the red light flashes.

If you use ANC headphones, try turning this feature off in the app. In Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro and Buds 4, the sound imbalance can occur due to improper noise reduction microphones, which physically block part of the sound channel.

2. Physical causes: clogging, damage, wear and tear

Mechanical problems are the most common cause of the volume difference, and even microscopic particles of dust or earwax can block the sound channel, reducing the volume by 30-50%.

How to check and eliminate:

• 🔍 Visual inspection of the speaker grille. Take a flashlight and look at the holes on the earpiece. If you see a buildup of dirt, clean gently with a soft toothbrush (do not use alcohol-containing liquids!).
• 🧲 Magnet testing. Hybrid speakers (e.g. Xiaomi Hybrid) can weaken the magnetic mount over time. Shake the earphone, if you hear a rattling sound, it's a sign of malfunction.
• 🩹 Sound channel damage: If the earphone fell or was subjected to a strong vibration (for example, in a backpack), the plastic case could deform.

For models with interchangeable earpieces (such as the Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro), try removing silicone nozzles and testing the sound without them. Sometimes the nozzles fit loosely, creating a deaf sound effect.

3. Problems with Bluetooth connectivity and codec

The sound imbalance can be due to unstable Bluetooth connection or incompatibility of audio codecs, especially for iOS devices, where Xiaomi headphones often work in a stripped-down mode.

Diagnostics and solutions:

• 📶 Reconnect your headphones. Remove the device from the list of paired headphones in Bluetooth Settings, then reconnect. For dual-connected models (such as Buds 4), first disconnect them from all devices.
• 🎵 Change the audio codec. Go to Settings on Android → Bluetooth → Sound settings (cog next to headphones) → Audio codec. Try switching from SBC on AAC or aptX (if supported).
• 🔗 Conflict with other devices: If the headphones are connected to the phone and laptop at the same time, there may be a delay or imbalance.

For iPhone owners: iOS doesn’t have the option to manually select a codec. However, you can reset your network settings, which sometimes helps stabilize the connection: Settings → Basic → Move or Reset → Network Settings Reset.

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If the headphones start to "glutch" after upgrading your smartphone, try rolling back the Bluetooth stack version. On Android, you can do this through a phone. ADB-team:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.bluetooth

4. Hardware malfunctions: what breaks down inside

If the software methods didn't work, the problem is probably the hardware, and the most common components that Xiaomi earphones fail are:

To diagnose hardware problems, you can use the resistance test speaker multimeter:

1. Disassemble the headphone (carefully tucking the case with a plastic card).
2. Connect the multimeter probes to the speaker contacts (usually red and black wires).
3. Measure resistance: Normal for Xiaomi is 16-32 Ohms. Testimony 0 Ohms or >100 Ohms indicate a cliff.

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If the earphone stopped sounding after a fall or impact, there is a 90% probability that the soldered contact of the speaker or controller is damaged, in which case disassembly and soldering are required (repair costs are from 1000).₽).

5. Features of models with ANC and hybrid speakers

Xiaomi’s Active Noise Canceling (ANC) and Hybrid Speakers (e.g. Buds 3 Pro, Buds 4) headphones have additional causes of sound imbalance, and the problem is often with microphones and noise reduction systems.

Typical problems ANC-headphone:

• 🎧 Mike malfunction ANC. If one of the microphones is clogged or damaged, the noise-canceling system starts to "compensate" the sound incorrectly, which leads to a decrease in volume.
• ⚡ Inadequate nutrition for ANC. In Buds 3 Pro models, when the discharge is below 30%, the noise cancellation automatically turns off, but sometimes this is accompanied by a decrease in the volume of one earphone.
• 🔄 Firmware conflict ANC. After software updates, the microphone calibration may be lost. Solution: reset the settings through the Xiaomi Earbuds app and recalibrate (section) ANC → Setting up).

To test the ANC, turn on the app's Transparency mode. If both earbuds sound the same loud in this mode, the problem is precisely the noise cancellation system.

Check the microphone holes for clogging |

Turn it off. ANC And compare the volume.|

Update the firmware through Xiaomi Earbuds|

Reset the settings. ANC appendix-->

6.When to contact the service: signs of serious breakdowns

If you’ve tried all the methods in this article, but the volume difference persists, you’ll likely need professional repairs.

⚠️ Warning: If there is a problem when connecting to another device (such as a laptop or tablet), it is 100% indicative of a hardware malfunction.

• 🔧 Physical damage to the body (cracks, dents near the speaker).
• 🔥 Getting liquid (even if the headphone worked for a while after that).
• 📉 Gradual deterioration of sound (loudness drops over weeks/months).
• 🔌 The headphone is not defined by the system (not displayed in the list of Bluetooth devices).

The cost of repairs in official service centers Xiaomi:

• Replacement of the speaker: 800-1500₽ (model-wise).
• Repair of the Bluetooth controller: 1500-2500₽.
• Battery replacement: 600-1200₽.
• Cleaning/replacement of microphone ANC: 800-1500₽.

For models older than 2 years (such as the Redmi Airdots 1 or Mi True Wireless 1), repairs can be unprofitable – the cost of parts often exceeds the price of new headphones.

7.Prevention: How to avoid future sound imbalances

To make your Xiaomi headphones last longer without sound issues, follow these guidelines:

• 🧼 Brush 1 time per week. Use a soft brush or cotton swab soaked in alcohol solution (no more than 50% alcohol!). Never blow your headphones out with your mouth - this can damage the membrane.
• 🔋 Proper charging. Don't leave your headphones on charging for more than 24 hours. For models with a case (Airdots, Buds) once a month discharge the case to 0% and charge to 100% to calibrate the power controller.
• 🎧 Storage in the case, even if the headphones are not used 1-2 Always put them in a charger case, which protects against dust and mechanical damage.
• 📱 Regular updates. Check firmware updates in the Xiaomi Earbuds app at least 1 time every 2 months. Newer versions often fix bugs with sound.

For models with ANC, avoid using noise reduction in very noisy places (such as near a working drill) and this can lead to overloading of microphones and premature wear.

Frequently asked questions