Set up equalizer in Xiaomi phones: from bass to high frequencies

Sound in a smartphone is not just background music or notifications. For music lovers, gamers and even regular users, audio quality can dramatically change the experience of the device. Xiaomi offers flexible audio customization tools, but many Redmi owners, POCO Or Mi doesn't even know about the hidden capabilities of the built-in equalizer. Why do standard settings often sound flat? How to unlock the potential of speakers or headphones without buying expensive hardware?

In this article, we will analyze all ways to configure the equalizer on Xiaomi smartphones – from the basic parameters in the MIUI You'll learn how to match presets to music genres, enhance bass for headphones, or make the sound more detailed for speakers, and we'll also reveal the hidden function of the adaptive equalizer in the video. MIUI 14+, which is not written in the official instructions.

Where is the equalizer in Xiaomi smartphones?

Depending on the model and version MIUI The path to the sound settings may be different (MIUI 13-14) developers have made access easier, but older versions have to dig through the menu:

• 📱 Through "Sound Settings": Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality → Equator: In some models, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T) The item may be called "Sound Effects".
• 🎵 From Player: Open the standard Music app, click on the three dots in the top right corner → Settings → Equator. Here, the settings will only apply to this application.
• 🔊 Through the notification panel: Swipe down the screen, hold your finger on the volume slider → Click on the gear next to Media. Some firmware here has quick access to the equalizer.

If your model does not have an integrated equalizer (rarely, but it happens in a budget Redmi A or a model with a low-end equalizer). POCO C), don't worry. In the next section, we'll show you how to install third-party solutions with advanced capabilities.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the built-in equalizer may be missing or not working properly.

Built-in equalizer MIUI: opportunities and limitations

Standard equalizer in MIUI It offers basic tools for adjusting sound, but its functionality varies depending on the model, for example, in flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Mix Fold 3) 10 bands of adjustment are available, and in budget Redmi. 10A — 5. Let's see what we can configure:

The main disadvantage of the built-in equalizer is that it only works with standard applications (Music, Video, FM-For Spotify, YouTube or games, settings do not apply. The solution is to use a global equalizer (for more on this in the pro-third-party app section).

Step-by-step setting up the equalizer for different genres of music

There's no universal settings, the perfect sound depends on the genre, the headphones, even the acoustics of the room, and we've prepared basic presets for popular destinations, use them as a starting point, and then adjust them to your preferences.

🎸 For rock and metal.

Target: enhanced average frequencies for guitars and vocals, clear bass without "dirty."

• 60-100 Hz: +2-3 dB (bass drum)
• 250–500 Hz: -1–0 dB (remove the cardboardness of guitars)
• 1-3 kHz: +3–4 dB (vocals and lead guitars)
• 8-16 kHz: +1–2 dB (air to plates)

🎤 For hip-hop and RnB

Goal: powerful bass, but without overloading low frequencies, clear vocals.

• 60-150 Hz: +4-5 dB (bass and subbass)
• 250–400 Hz: -2 dB (remove dirt)
• 1–2 kHz: +2 dB (vocals)
• 5-10 kHz: +1 dB (high hat details)

🎛️ For electronic music (EDM, house, trance)

Target: Maximum impact on the bottoms, but with high frequencies for synths.

• 60-200 Hz: +5–6 dB (kick and subbass)
• 500–800 Hz: -3 dB (remove turbidity)
• 3-6 kHz: +1–2 dB (average synth frequencies)
• 10–16 kHz: +3 dB (air and high hats)

Remember: too much bass reinforcement (more than that). +6 dB can lead to clipping on cheap headphones or speakers. If you hear wheezing, reduce the low frequencies.

Listen to the track at medium volume (50–70%)

Check if the sound is wheezing at peak frequencies

Compare with the original track (turn off the equalizer)

Try the track in another genre - the settings should sound harmonious-->

Hidden functions of the equalizer in MIUI: engineering menu and MTK Engineer Mode

In the firmware MIUI There are additional audio settings hidden that are not available through the standard menu, and you can activate them through the engineering menu or special codes!

For devices running Qualcomm Snapdragon processors:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code ##36446337## (or #3644637## for older versions).
3. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → LoudSpeaker Mode.
4. Here you can test the speakers at different frequencies and adjust the maximum volume (do not exceed 85% to avoid damage).

For devices running MediaTek processors (most Redmi and POCO):

1. Install the MTK Engineer Mode app from Google Play.
2. Open it and go to Hardware Testing. → Audio.
3. In the Speaker section, you can configure signal amplification (gain) for different frequencies, but it requires experience.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the engineering menu can damage the speakers at high volume. Do not increase the Max Vol or Gain values by more than 10% of the standard.

The side of the application for advanced sound tuning

If the built-in equalizer isn't enough, try third-party solutions. They offer global sound processing (works in all applications), support VST-Plugins and advanced effects: Here are the best options for Xiaomi:

• 🎛️ Wavelet (free, with in-app purchases): Uses automatic adjustment to your headphones (there is a base of 3000).+ (c) Supporting models LDAC and aptX for wireless headphones.
• 🔊 Poweramp Equalizer (paid, ~300₽): 10-band equalizer with preamplifiers, works with any application.
• 🎧 ViPER4Android (Free, demands Magisk: The most powerful tool with support for convolvers (pulse characteristics to simulate the acoustics of the room.
• 📱 Equalizer FX (Free: Simple 5-band equalizer with basic presets. Suitable for beginners.

To install ViPER4Android on Xiaomi, you will need:

1. Get root rights through Magisk.
2. Install the module ViPER4Android FX from the Magisk repository.
3. Download the appendix ViPER4Android from the official website (not from the Play Market!).
4. In the application settings, select the Legacy Mode driver (for most Xiaomi).

If you don't want to mess around with the root, Wavelet or Poweramp is the best choice. They don't require special rights and work on all models, including the Redmi Note 12 or the Redmi Note 12. POCO X5 Pro.

💡

Before installing a third-party equalizer, turn off the built-in MIUI, To avoid a sound processing conflict, go to Settings. → Sound. → Sound quality → Select Preset "Normal" or "Off".

Set up the equalizer for headphones, speakers and phone dynamics

The same preset will sound different on the TWS-headphones, wired IEM Or embedded dynamics, and we'll figure out how to adapt the settings to different output devices.

🎧 For wired and wireless headphones

Most headphones (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi Buds 5) have their own colored sound to smooth it out:

• For bass headphones (such as SoundPEATS) Air3): Reduce low frequencies by 2–3 dB to avoid "walling".
• For neutral headphones (e.g, KZ ZSN Pro X: You can slightly raise the high frequencies (+1–2 dB at 10–16 kHz for greater detail.
• For cheap headphones: use a Pop or Vocal preset, which smooths peaks at medium frequencies.

🔈 For the built-in smartphone speaker

Speakers in smartphones (even flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) can't physically play deep bass.

• Reduce the frequencies below 100Hz (they only add distortion).
• Raise 2-4 kHz by 2-3 dB for better legibility of vocals.
• Activate the mode. 3D-scoring MIUI — It adds to the illusion of volume.

📦 For external columns (Bluetooth or AUX)

When connecting to speakers (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Portable Speaker):

• Turn off all effects in the phone’s equalizer – let the speaker run in its range.
• If the column is hissing at high frequencies, reduce the bandwidth of 10–16 kHz by 2-3 dB.
• For bass columns (e.g, JBL Charge can be slightly raised 60-100 Hz (+1–2 dB).

Important: When connected via Bluetooth, the sound quality depends on the codec used. → Connected devices → Select the gear settings next to the device:

• 🎵 LDAC (Best quality but high latency – for music.
• 🎮 aptX Low Latency for games and video.
• 📞 AAC — universal option for calls and podcasts.

Common errors when setting up the equalizer

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that spoil the sound, and this is what you can’t do when setting up an equalizer on Xiaomi:

• 🚫 Lifting all sliders: This leads to sound distortion (clipping) and rapid ear fatigue.The equalizer is needed for correction, not global amplification.
• 🚫 Ignore test tracks: Customize the equalizer on familiar songs with a wide dynamic range (e.g., "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "Hotel California").
• 🚫 Use the same settings for all genres: What's good for metal will ruin the classics. Create separate presets.
• 🚫 Attune to maximum volume: At high volume, ears are less sensitive to detail. Optimal level is 60-70% of maximum.
• 🚫 Neglect firmware updates: In new versions MIUI They often improve sound processing algorithms. MIUI 14 added support LDAC wireless.

Another common mistake is to set the equalizer to the eye. Use the test frequencies (you can find them on YouTube for "sweep test") 20Hz–20kHz") for precise calibration:

• If the sound seems too loud at 1 kHz, reduce the corresponding slider.
• If bass (60-80 Hz) "drum" - lower their level or narrow the range.

💡

The perfect equalizer settings are always a compromise between your preferences and the physical capabilities of the audio system. Don't chase the "studio" sound on your smartphone: even flagship models have frequency and dynamic range limitations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up an equalizer on Xiaomi