Equalizer on Xiaomi Mi 9: full setup for perfect sound

Xiaomi Mi 9 is the flagship smartphone of 2019, which still remains relevant thanks to the powerful hardware and flexible settings. One of the key features of the device is an advanced sound system with support for equalizer, which allows you to finely adjust the frequency range for any task, from listening to music to improving sound in games or while calling. However, many users do not know how to properly adjust the equalizer to unlock the full potential of speakers or headphones.

In this article, we will analyze not only the basic settings of the built-in equalizer MIUI, But we'll also look at alternative ways to optimize sound through third-party apps, and you'll learn which presets are best for different genres of music, how to avoid distortion at high frequencies, and why standard settings often don't work. And also, let’s reveal a few hidden functions. MIUI 12/14, which allow you to more accurately calibrate the sound for specific headphones or acoustic systems.

Where is the equalizer on Xiaomi Mi 9 and how to open it

Unlike many other smartphones where the equalizer is hidden in the depths of the menu, on the Xiaomi Mi 9, it can be accessed in two ways: through the standard Music app or global audio settings.

The first and easiest way is:

• 🎵 Open the Music app (standard player from Xiaomi).
• 🔊 During the playback of the track, tap the icon of sound waves in the upper right corner.
• 📊 In the menu that opens, select the Equalizer.

The second way is through system settings:

• ⚙️ Go to Settings → Sound and vibration.
• 🎛️ Scroll down and select Sound Settings. → equalizer.
• 🔄 You can turn on/off the equalizer globally (will work in all applications).

Importantly, if you have custom firmware installed (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the path to the equalizer may be different, and in some builds it is not at all, in which case you will have to use third-party applications, which we will talk about later.

Standard Presets of the Equalizer: which to choose for different genres

By default. MIUI It offers 10 pre-tuned equalizer presets, each optimized for a particular style of music or task, but not all of them are equally useful:

Tip: If you're listening to music through Bluetooth headphones, try Basa's or Pop's preset, which compensates for the low-frequency loss of wireless transmission. Rock or Classic is better for smartphone speakers, as they reduce distortions at high frequencies that often "hackle" on built-in speakers.

⚠️ Warning: Preset Voice is designed to improve speech intelligibility, but it cuts low and high frequencies very much. Don't use it for music - the sound will become "flat" and unnatural.

Manual equalizer setting: step-by-step calibration for your headphones

Ready presets are convenient, but they don't take into account the features of your headphones or acoustic system. For perfect sound, you better adjust the equalizer manually. Here's how to do this:

1. Open the equalizer through the Music app (as described above).
2. Select the User (or Custom in the English version of the firmware).
3. You'll see a graph with sliders, each of which is responsible for a certain frequency range: 🔹 60 Hz - ultra-low frequencies (subbass). 🔹 230 Hz - lower middle (drums, bass guitar). 🔹 910 Hz – Medium frequencies (vocals, guitars). 🔹 3.6 kHz – upper middle (excessive amplification gives a “metallic” sound). 🔹 14 kHz - ultra-high frequencies (air, hissing).

Start with the neutral position of all sliders (0 dB) and gradually adjust them by listening to a familiar track.

Example of settings for popular headphones:

• 🎧 Xiaomi Hybrid Pro HD: magnify 60 Hz on +3 dB and 910 Hz on +2 dB for a more intense sound.
• 🎧 Sony WH-1000XM3: lower 3,6 khz -1 dB to remove excessive "sharpness».
• 🔊 Built-in speakers Mi 9: reinforce 230 Hz. +4 dB and lower 14 khz -2 dB (reduces wheezing).

Set all sliders to 0 dB|Turn on a familiar track|Gradually raise 60Hz before the appearance of "bulling»|Reverse 1–2 dB back|Repeat for other frequencies-->

⚠️ Attention: Excessive increase in low frequencies (more +6 dB) on cheap headphones can cause sound distortion or even damage to speakers, especially for models with impedances below 32 ohms.

Hidden functions of the equalizer in MIUI: What can be added

Few people know, but in MIUI 12/14 There are a few hidden options that allow you to customize the sound more accurately. These features are not always visible in the main equalizer menu, but they can be activated through the developer settings or special combinations:

1. Extended equalizer with 10 lanes:

• 🔧 Activated through Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to unlock the Developer Settings).
• 🔍 Then go to the Developer Settings. → Multimedia. → Extended equaliser.
• 🎚️ Now in the standard equalizer will appear 10 sliders instead of 5.

Volume normalization:

• 🔊 Included in Settings → Sound. → Normalization of volume.
• 📉 Automatically levels volume between tracks, but can reduce dynamic range.

3. The effects of surround (Mi Sound):

• 🎬 Only available when you plug in your headphones. Activated in the sound settings. → Effects of surround.
• 🔄 Creates the illusion of surround sound, but can distort the stereobe.

The side of the equalizer application: when standard settings are not enough

If the built-in equalizer MIUI It seems too limited to you, and you can use third-party apps, which offer more adjustment bands, support for user profiles, and even automatic calibration for specific headphone models.-3 decision:

1. Wavelet (from the PowerAMP developers):

• 🎛️ 9-band equalizer with pre-calibration under 300+ headphone.
• 🔊 Support LDAC and aptX for Bluetooth devices.
• 📱 Works at the system level (rights required) ADB global-sound).

2. Equalizer FX:

• 🎚️ 10-band equalizer with presets for different genres.
• 🔄 Built-in compressor and limiter for headphone protection.
• 📴 Free version with advertising.

3. ViPER4Android (for advanced users):

• 🎧 Full sound processing with Convolver and Crossfade effects.
• 🔧 Requires root rights or patching through Magisk.
• 📊 Support for user impulse characteristics (IRS).

Warning: Apps like ViPER4Android may conflict with MIUI, You can make a sound stutter or reboot before you install it.

💡

If the sound is quieter after installing the third-party equalizer, check the Audio Effects settings in Settings. → Sound. → Sometimes the system automatically limits the volume when activated by third-party handlers.

Optimizing Sound for Videos, Games and Calls

The equalizer on Xiaomi Mi 9 works not only in the music player, but also in other applications — if you turn on the global mode.

For the video (YouTube, Netflix):

• 🎬 Increase 100-200 Hz per +2 dB for better voice and soundtrack transmission.
• 🔊 Reduce 8–10 khz -1 dB to remove hissing at low bitrate.

For games (PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile):

• 🎮 Increase 500–1000 Hz (footstep sounds, shots).
• 🔇 Dim 60 Hz (reduces background noise).

For calls (WhatsApp, phone calls):

• 🔇 Remove all amplifications below 200 Hz (reduces echoes).

Important: Global equalizer may conflict with some apps (e.g. TikTok or Instagram).If the sound is lost, try disabling the equalizer or using it only in selected apps via Settings. → Sound. → Exceptions for applications.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up an equalizer on the Xiaomi Mi 9, users often face some problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If after all the manipulations the sound still does not suit, check:

• 🔋 Battery condition: low charge (less than 15%) MIUI automatically reduces the sound quality.
• 🎧 Headphone quality: Cheap models may not transmit low or high frequencies.
• 🔊 Clean speakers: dust or moisture can distort sound.

💡

If you use Bluetooth headphones, set up the equalizer on them first (via their own app if there is one), and then adjust the settings on your smartphone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions