How to change the sound on Xiaomi: from basic volume to advanced settings

The sound on Xiaomi smartphones is not just the volume of speakers, but a set of settings that can dramatically change your perception of multimedia. Whether you listen to music through Redmi AirDots headphones, watch movies on POCO F5 or communicate on speakerphone on Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the right audio configuration will make the experience more saturated. However, many users do not even suspect that their device supports advanced sound profiles, spatial sound and equalizer customization.

In this article, we will explore all the ways to change sound, from simple volume up to fine-tuning frequencies through an engineering menu, how to activate hidden MIUI features, what applications will help improve sound, and why some Xiaomi models can distort sound at maximum volume, and we will also reveal the secrets of optimizing sound for specific scenarios: games, watching videos or phone calls.

Basic sound settings in MIUI

So let's start with the simplest of them all, the standard audio settings available in the MIUI menu, and even if you've never gone to the audio settings section, these options will quickly improve your audio experience. The main controllers are in the Settings → Sound and Vibration path.

Here you can:

• 🔊 Adjust the volume of media, alarm and notifications with sliders. On models with stereo speakers (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), you can adjust the balance between the top and bottom speakers.
• 🎵 Enable Adaptive Sound – it automatically adjusts the volume to the surrounding noise (useful in transport or on the street).
• 🔔 Activate Do not disturb on schedule or for specific applications so that notification sounds are not distracted at important moments.
• 🎧 Set up sound behavior when connecting Bluetooth headphones: for example, automatically switch to mono mode for one headphone.

Now, look at the Sound Quality and Effects option -- there's more advanced settings that we'll talk about in the next section -- and in the meantime, check if Safe Sound is activated (limits maximum volume to protect your hearing), which you can turn off, but remember, long-term listening to music at high volume is bad for your health.

Advanced sound effects and equalizer

If you don't like the basic settings, you've got to go to fine-tuning the sound, and MIUI has a built-in equalizer that allows you to adjust the frequency range to your preferences, and find it.

1. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality and effects.
2. Select the Equalizer option (some models may call sound effects).
3. Activate the slider at the top of the screen.

You will be available:

• 🎛️ Preset profiles: Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classics, and others. They automatically adjust frequencies to the genre of music.
• 📊 Manual setting: 5- or 10-band equalizer for self-adjusting low, medium and high frequencies.
• 🔄 3D-sound: creates a surround sound effect (useful for movies and games).
• 🎤 Improved voice: emphasizes vocal frequencies in songs.

On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro), an additional Dolby Atmos mode is available. It simulates the sound in the theater, but requires activation in Settings → Additional → Dolby Atmos. On some firmwares, this option is hidden and requires unlocking through the engineering menu.

Increase the 60Hz slider by +3 dB|

Reduce 250 Hz by -1 dB (removes "dirty" in the bottom)|

Raise 16 kHz by +2 dB for air |

Turn it off. 3D-effects of listening to music|

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Engineering menu: hidden possibilities of sound

For real audio enthusiasts, Xiaomi has an engineering menu (#36446337## or #4636###) where you can change settings that are not available in the standard interface.

In the engineering menu, pay attention to the following sections:

• 🔧 Hardware Testing → Audio: Testing speakers, microphones and connectors, and you can check if there's any hardware problem with the sound.
• 📶 Network Testing → VolTE: audio quality settings for VoLTE calls (relevant for Redmi Note 12 and later).
• 🎚️ Audio → Speaker Gain: manually adjusting speaker gain (caution: high values can cause distortions!).
• 🔄 Audio → Headset Mode: Forced Enablement of Headphone Mode (Useful if the phone does not recognize wired headphones).

On models with MIUI 14+, the path to the engineering menu may be different. If the standard codes don't work, try:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings

This command will open a developer menu where you can activate additional audio options.

Xiaomi Sound Problems and Their Solutions

Even Xiaomi’s flagship models can have sound problems, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

If the problem persists after all the manipulations, check if it is hardware. For example, on the POCO X3 Pro, a known microphone problem when recording video is a defect in the batch, and it is solved only by replacing the module in the service center.

💡

If the sound in the headphones became quieter after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous firmware version through Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Selection of the service package.

Apps to improve sound on Xiaomi

The built-in MIUI tools may not be enough for real music lovers, and luckily, Google Play has apps that extend the audio experience:

• 🎧 Wavelet (from Vance developers): offers an advanced equalizer with support LDAC and aptX, automatic presets for specific models of headphones.
• 🔊 ViPER4Android: Legendary sound modifier with support FX, Convolver and Spectral Extension require Magisk to work properly.
• 🎵 Poweramp: not only the player, but also a powerful tool for customizing the sound with support for Hi-Res Audio and its own presets.
• 🔄 SoundAssistant (from Samsung, but runs on Xiaomi): allows you to fine-tune the volume for each application separately.

To install ViPER4Android on Xiaomi without root rights:

1. Download APK from the official Viper website.
2. Install Audio Compatibility Patch from the same source.
3. In the application settings, select the Legacy Mode driver.
4. Activate Master Limiter to prevent distortion.

Note: Some applications (e.g. ViPER4Android) may conflict with built-in MIUI audio drivers. If audio artifacts appear after installation, disable all third-party modifiers and reboot.

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Apps like Wavelet or Poweramp only show noticeable improvements in sound when using high-end headphones or external DACs. On cheap headphones, the difference will be minimal.

Optimizing sound for specific scenarios

The audio settings should depend on how you use your Xiaomi, and here are some tips for different situations:

🎮 For games.

In games, it is important to clearly hear sound effects (steps, shots) and voice chat.

• 3D-phonogram MIUI for better positioning of sounds.

🎬 To watch movies

Use the Preset Cinema in the equalizer or manually adjust:

• Increase bass (60-150 Hz) for blasts and subwoofer.
• Raise high frequencies (10–16 kHz) for clarity.
• Activate Dolby Atmos (if available) for surround sound.

🎤 For calls and voice messages

So that your voice sounds clear and the interlocutor is well heard:

• Enable Voice Improvement in the sound settings.
• Turn off all the effects of the equalizer – they can distort speech.
• Use wired headphones with a microphone for better noise reduction.

On Xiaomi models with VoLTE support (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+), voice quality can be improved through the Network Testing → VolTE Settings (Network Testing → VolTE Settings).

Hardware modifications: when software settings are not enough

If you've exhausted all the software to improve the sound, but you're not happy with the result, you should consider hardware modifications, which require financial investment and sometimes intervention in the design of the phone, but can give a significant increase in quality.

Upgrade options:

• 🎧 Outside DAC/Apple: Devices like iBasso DC05 fiiO BTR5 plug in USB-C They're very good at making headphones sound better, and they support Hi-Res Audio and MQA.
• 🔊 Replacement of speakers: on some models (e.g, POCO X3 NFC) Users successfully change the regular speakers to more powerful ones. NXP or Texas Instruments.
• 🔌 Wireless charging module with amplifier: some modules (for example, for Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) have a built-in sound amplifier.
• 📱 Audio chip replacement: a last resort for enthusiasts, requires soldering and experience — ES9038Q2M or AK4493.

⚠️ Warning: any hardware modifications are warranty-free and can cause permanent damage:

⚠️ Check the compatibility of parts with your Xiaomi model (for example, the speakers from the Redmi Note 10 Pro will not be suitable for you). POCO F3). ⚠️ Use a temperature controlled soldering station to avoid damaging the motherboard. ⚠️ Make a backup copy of the data - after disassembly, the phone may not turn on.

If you're not sure about your skills, go to specialized workshops, for example, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, there are services that are engaged in upgrading the audio systems of smartphones.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi sound