Set up equalizer on Xiaomi Earbuds Basic

Many budget acoustics owners are faced with the question of how to change the sound profile so that the bass becomes deeper and high frequencies do not cut the ear. The equalizer is a powerful tool that allows you to adapt the sound to your personal preferences and genres of music. However, in the case of the Xiaomi Earbuds Basic model (also known as Redmi Airdots), the situation has its own technical features, which are important to know.

The problem is that these headphones don't have a built-in hardware equalizer or a separate official app with frequency tuning, which means that standard methods, just by connecting via Bluetooth, you won't find sliders to adjust low or high frequencies, but that doesn't mean that the sound can't be improved.

In this article, we will explore the workarounds, use of third-party apps and smartphone system settings that will turn your Redmi Airdots into a professional audio tool. You will learn how to programmatically implement an equalizer in the audio transmission chain and what settings will be optimal for different musical styles.

Technical limitations of the Earbuds Basic model

Before you start setting up, you need to understand the architecture of the device. Xiaomi Earbuds Basic headphones are an entry-level True Wireless Stereo (TWS) category. Their chipset, usually Realtek or similar, is focused on stable signal transmission and energy saving, rather than complex processing of sound inside the case or ears.

No support for AptX Adaptive or built-in DSP-open-processor API It makes it impossible for the user to directly control the timbre through the headphones themselves. The entire process of processing the audio stream falls on the shoulders of the smartphone or tablet to which they are connected.

⚠️ Warning: Attempts to flash headphones or use untested utilities to unlock hidden functions can lead to a complete loss of communication between the left and right ears.

So all frequency manipulations have to be done on the source side of the signal, so if your smartphone has poor out-of-the-box audio settings, you'll have to use third-party software solutions. TWS-Budgetary Segment Models.

Use of the MIUI System Equalizer

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco smartphone with a MIUI or HyperOS shell, you are more fortunate than users of other brands. The system already has a quality audio engine built in that works globally for all connected devices, including Bluetooth headsets.

To access settings, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Sound Effects. Here you will find the Mi Sound Enhancer switch. Activating this mode automatically applies improvement algorithms that can significantly enrich the sound of your Earbuds Basic.

Inside the sound effects menu, a graphic equalizer is also available, allowing sliders to be manually raised or lowered at different frequencies, for example, to listen to modern pop music, it is often recommended to raise the extreme left (bass) and extreme right (high) sliders, creating a so-called "V-shaped" curve.

Importantly, the settings in MIUI apply to the entire audio stream, which means that once the equalizer is set up for music, the same changes will affect the sounds in games or YouTube videos, which is convenient for creating a single sound environment.

Third-party equalizer apps for Android

Owners of smartphones on “pure” Android or those who lack the capabilities of the system equalizer can turn to the Google Play Store. There are many applications that intercept the audio stream and process it before sending it to a Bluetooth device.

One of the most popular and functional solutions is Poweramp Equalizer, which supports root access, but also works as usual, getting into the system through support services, and allows you to create complex presets and even download tuning profiles for specific headphone models.

• 🎵 Equalizer FX — simple application with a basic set of sliders and ready-made presets for different genres.
• 🎚️ Bass Booster is a specialized tool for amplifying low frequencies, which is often required for budget headphones.
• 🔊 Wavelet is an advanced equalizer with auto-correction and Headphone-specific tuning support (although there may not be ready profiles for Basic).

When installing such applications, the system may request permission to "Change System Settings" or access "Special Opportunities" so that the program can intercept sound before it enters the Bluetooth module. Without these permissions, the equalizer will not work.

⚠️ Warning: Installing multiple equalizers at the same time can cause driver conflict, leading to wheezing, interruptions or complete absence of sound.

After setting up, remember to add the application you are using to the battery exception list (Settings → Applications → Battery Management) by selecting “No Limits” mode, which will prevent the equalizer from stopping to save energy.

Step-by-step instructions for sound calibration

The tuning process doesn't have to be chaotic. To get a really good result, you have to be consistent, checking for changes on familiar tracks, and you don't have to rely on random slider movements.

First, select a reference track. The best way to do this is to take a well-known track where you know exactly what the instruments are supposed to sound like, start the music and start by resetting all the equalizer settings to either Flat or 0 dB.

Then follow the algorithm: lift a slider of a certain frequency by 3-4 dB. If the sound is cleaner and more pleasant, leave the change. If there is distortion, whistle or porridge, lower the slider below zero. Repeat the procedure for all ranges.

Pay special attention to the average frequencies (about 1 kHz), which is the range in which the human voice is located, and over-raising these frequencies will make the vocals unnatural and vulgar, and lowering them deaf and distant.

Optimal presets for different genres

While everyone’s tastes are different, there are established frequency customization standards for different musical directions, and these values can be used as a starting point for further fine-tuning your Xiaomi Earbuds Basic.

For electronic music and hip-hop, sub-bass is critical. Rock and metal require an emphasis on guitars and drums, and classics require the most level, linear characterization possible so as not to distort the timbre of the instruments.

Use this data as a template. In the equalizer app, you can save these settings as custom presets with the names "Rock", "Pop" and switch between them depending on what is playing at the moment.

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Save your settings in the cloud or take screenshots of the equalizer configuration. When you reset your phone or reinstall your app, you can quickly restore your favorite audio profile.

Problems with sound quality and their solution

Sometimes even after setting up the equalizer, the sound is unsatisfactory. This may not be due to frequencies, but to the data codec or interference. Xiaomi Earbuds Basic supports SBC and AAC codecs.

The SBC codec is basic and has a lower compression quality, which can lead to loss of parts at high frequencies. AAC provides better transmission, especially on Apple and Android devices. Make sure that Bluetooth settings (in the Developer section or in the equalizer app) prioritize sound quality over connection stability.

It's also worth checking the battery power. At low charge levels (less than 20%), some models are also worth checking. TWS-Headphones can reduce the power of the amplifier, which makes the sound flat and quiet, regardless of the settings of the equalizer.

⚠️ Warning: If you hear crackling or static noise after all the settings, try turning off the equalizer.Perhaps the input signal is too loud and there is a digital overload (clipping).

In rare cases, the problem lies in the firmware version of the Bluetooth module of the smartphone. Updating the phone's operating system can improve the performance of the Bluetooth stack and the quality of the audio stream to your headphones.

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The sound quality on Xiaomi Earbuds Basic is 80% dependent on the source of the signal and the software equalizer, since the hardware of the headphones is fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)