Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi and POCO sub-brands, have traditionally offered great multimedia capabilities to users, but standard audio settings often seem flat. Many device owners are faced with low frequencies sounding deaf, and there is not enough depth and volume to fully enjoy music, which is why the question of how to set the equalizer to bass on Xiaomi remains one of the most popular among audiophiles and ordinary users.
Modern versions of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide powerful audio correction tools that are hidden deep in the system menus. Standard presets often fail to produce the desired result, as they are averaged across a wide range of genres. To make the most of a smartphone speaker or wired headphones, you need to manually adjust the frequency sliders.
In this article, we will discuss not only standard methods, but also advanced ways to amplify low frequencies. You will learn how to activate hidden Dolby Atmos functions, use Mi Sound Enhancer correctly and what third-party applications will help if regular funds are not enough.
Standard Sound Capabilities in MIUI and HyperOS
Before you start to do complex manipulations, you should study the built-in tools that are already installed on your device. In Xiaomi smartphones, the system module responsible for the processing of sound, which can be found in the settings section. Usually the path to it is through the Settings menu → Sound and vibration → Quality sound. Here are the basic tools for the initial setup.
Special attention should be paid to the Mi Sound Enhancer function. This algorithm is designed to adapt the audio profile to a specific type of connected headphones. If you use a wired headset, the system will suggest selecting a manufacturer from a list, which will automatically apply the optimal equalizer profile. For wireless Bluetooth headphones, this feature is also available, but works in a more gentle mode to save battery power.
⚠️ Warning: When you activate Mi Sound Enhancer for headphones not on the official list of supported, the sound may become unnatural or echo.Always check the result on the track.
Additionally, this section often features a Dolby Atmos switch. This technology creates a surround effect and greatly expands the sound scene. For bass-rich genres such as hip-hop or electronic music, the inclusion of Dolby Atmos can add the necessary density to low frequencies, although it is not a direct equalizer in the classical sense.
Manual setting of the graphic equalizer
The most effective way to get the desired bass is to manually adjust the frequencies. In the Settings menu → Sound and Vibration → Quality Sound → Equator (the path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI), you will see a slider chart. The standard view is often a flat line or preset "Normal" that you need to change.
To get bass up, we need to work on the left edge of the graph, where the low frequencies are. The sliders that are responsible for the range from 60 Hz to 250 Hz should be raised. But moderation is important here: excessive lifting will lead to speaker wheezing and distortion. The optimal is to raise these frequencies by 3-5 dB from zero.
The medium and high frequencies also require adjustments to maintain balance. If you raise only the bass, the sound will become "bulging" and lose the clarity of the vocals, it is recommended to slightly lower the middle frequencies (about 1 kHz) and add a little "air" at high frequencies (14-16 kHz), creating a so-called "smile" on the equalizer chart.
☑️ Set up a manual equalizer
In the budget models of Redmi or POCO, the membrane power reserve is less than in the flagship Xiaomi Pro or Ultra series. Therefore, the settings for different devices can vary significantly.
Using Dolby Atmos for depth of sound
Dolby Atmos, which is embedded in MIUI, is often underestimated by users who see it as a marketing ploy. In fact, it's a powerful processor effect that can dramatically change the perception of low frequencies. Unlike a simple equalizer, Atmos works with spatial positioning of sound objects.
To activate and adjust this mode, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Dolby Atmos. Here you will be offered several profiles: "Auto", "Video", "Music", "Games". For maximum basses, the best profile is "Music" or manual mode, if it is available in your version of the firmware. In manual mode, the Balance slider can be shifted to the side of "Warm" or "Satured", which will programmatically enhance the low frequencies.
| Dolby Atmos mode | Influence on bass | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Automobile | Average. | Daily use, mixed content |
| Video | Emphasis on dialogue | Movies, TV shows, YouTube |
| Music. | High, extended bass. | Listening to tracks, concerts |
| Games | Emphasis on effects | Mobile gaming |
It's worth noting that the simultaneous activation of Mi Sound Enhancer and Dolby Atmos can cause a conflict of processing algorithms. In some versions of the firmware, the system will turn off one of the solutions itself, in others, the sound will become overloaded. Experimentally figure out which bundle gives the best result on your model.
Secret code to check the audio system
Third-party equalizer apps on Android
If there is a shortage of regular funds, third-party apps from Google Play come to the rescue, which have a higher priority for processing sound than system settings, and allow you to work wonders with the audio stream. One of the most popular and powerful solutions is Poweramp Equalizer or the classic Equalizer FX.
Installing a third-party equalizer requires permission to access the microphone or record audio (to intercept sound), which is standard procedure for such applications. Once installed, you will need to activate the service in the phone settings or through the app itself. Often you need to disable Xiaomi's built-in equalizer to avoid double processing.
The advantage of third-party solutions is that there are enthusiastic presets and more detailed tuning. You can adjust not only the volume of the frequencies, but also parameters such as Reverb (echo), Bass Boost (bass amplification) and Virtualizer. For deep bass fans, Bass Boost often works more aggressively and efficiently in these applications.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party equalizers consume extra battery power. If you notice that the smartphone started to discharge faster while listening to music, try turning off the application or lower the frequency of the survey.
Some apps, like Wavelet, use automatic calibration to match your headphone model using a huge database.This could be a great alternative to Mi Sound, especially if your headphones aren't officially supported by the smartphone manufacturer.
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Tip: Before you install a new equalizer, take a screenshot of the current system sound settings. If the new app doesn't like it, you can easily get it back to the way it was.
Customization of sound through the engineering menu and ADB
For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there are ways to customize the sound to a deeper level. Using USB debugging (ADB) allows you to make changes to the system audio configuration files that are not available through the conventional interface. This is especially true for global firmware versions, where functionality can be reduced compared to the Chinese versions.
First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI". Then in the advanced settings, turn on "Debugging by" USB". By connecting your phone to your computer, you can send commands to change your audio profiles.
adb shell settings put global audio_safe_volume_state 0This command, for example, can remove the limits of safe volume, which indirectly affects the perception of basses, making them louder. However, using ADB requires caution: an incorrect command can cause the audio service to malfunction, and then the sound will disappear completely.
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Use of the ADB-The commands give you maximum control, but it requires technical knowledge.
Frequent problems and their solution
Even after careful setup, users can run into problems, and it often happens that after updating the HyperOS firmware, the equalizer settings are reset, a well-known feature that involves replacing the system configuration files, in which case the settings have to be reset.
Another common problem is the wheezing of speakers at maximum volume with the bass twisted. It's a physical constraint on the speaker. The solution is one: lower the overall volume or lower the low-frequency sliders a little bit (60-100 Hz). Don't try to "push" physics software-based, it will damage the dynamic head.
Users also complain that the settings don’t apply in some apps, such as TikTok or Instagram, because of how these apps handle the audio stream, and in such cases, the use of a system volume amplifier or third-party players with their own play engine helps.