How to customize the sound on Xiaomi Mi 9: a complete guide to improving audio

The Xiaomi Mi 9, which launched in 2019, is still one of the most popular devices on the market due to its excellent price-performance ratio. However, many owners often complain that standard audio settings do not reveal the full potential of this gadget. The sound can seem flat, lack bass or high frequencies, and in noisy places, the dynamics are simply not audible. The correct configuration of the audio system can radically change the perception of multimedia content.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to tune sound, from basic system settings to advanced methods through the engineering menu. You will learn how to activate hidden functions, remove volume limits and adjust the equalizer to your ear. Competent tuning will allow you to enjoy music, movies and games with a whole new level of detail.

Before making changes, it's important to understand that MIUI offers a lot of tools that users often ignore. We're not going to use third-party apps that can load the processor, but we're going to focus on system capabilities. This will ensure that the device runs smoothly and battery life is maintained. Let's start building the perfect sound profile for your smartphone.

Basic configuration of sound profiles in MIUI

Optimization starts with checking standard settings, which often stay in factory condition. MIUI's Android system offers several preset use cases that change the frequency balance. The default mode is often "Default" or "Music", but they may not be suitable for all genres or listening conditions.

To access the basics, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration. Here you will find a general volume slider that adjusts the level of media files. However, finer tuning is available through the Sound Effects section. This is where the signal is first processed before it is sent to the speaker or to the headphones. Adapting the profile to a specific task is the first step to quality sound.

You'll see a switch in the sound effects menu to select a script, and the system offers options like Pop, Rock, Jazz, or Classic, each of which raises certain frequencies differently. For example, rock is characterized by an emphasis on medium and high frequencies, whereas electronics are important for low frequencies. Don't be afraid to experiment by choosing a profile that your hearing subjectively likes.

• 🎵 Music: Standard profile with a level frequency response, suitable for most tracks.
• 🎬 Movie: Enhances the range of voices and effects, making dialogues more legible.
• 🎮 Games: Focuses on steps and shots, which is critical for shooters.
• 📞 Calls: Cuts off the extra frequencies for maximum clarity of speech of the interlocutor.

⚠️ Note: When choosing a profile of "Cinema" or "Games" in quiet rooms, the sound may appear sharp due to the emphasized high frequencies. 10-15% after activation of these modes.

Use of Dolby Atmos and Graphic Equalizer

One of the key features of Xiaomi’s flagship models, including the Mi 9, is support for Dolby Atmos surround sound technology.This feature creates a three-dimensional sound space effect, even if you use conventional stereo headphones. Activation of Dolby Atmos requires special attention, as it can conflict with third-party music playback apps.

To enable this technology, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Dolby Atmos. Here you will see the activation switch. Once turned on, the system will prompt you to choose one of the modes: Auto, Video, Music or Voice. Auto mode tries to determine the content itself, but often works incorrectly, so it is better to manually set the profile depending on what you are listening to at the moment.

Inside the Dolby Atmos menu, a graphic equalizer is also available, a powerful tool for those who want to achieve perfect sound. Sliders allow you to raise or lower specific frequency ranges. For example, lifting sliders on the left side of the graph (60 Hz - 250 Hz) will add bass, and on the right (4 kHz - 16 kHz) - airiness and detail.

It is important to understand the difference between the MIUI system equalizer and the settings inside Dolby. If both are activated, they add up, which can lead to overloading of the audio track. The optimal strategy is to leave the system equalizer in the "Normal" or "Flat" position, and all the main work on sound correction is delegated to Dolby Atmos.

• 🎚️ Low frequencies: Responsible for bass depth and percussion instruments.
• 🎚️ Mid-frequency: Determine the saturation of the voice and most musical instruments.
• 🎚️ High frequencies: add ringing, detailing plates and hissing sounds.

⚠️ Attention: Excessively raising low frequencies in the equalizer at maximum volume can cause the smartphone body to rattle or the speaker to wheez.Be careful with ranges below 100Hz.

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If you use wired headphones with high resistance, turn on the "Hi-Fi" mode in the audio settings (if available through an adapter) to amplify the output signal.

Set up Bluetooth audio and codecs

For wireless headphones and speakers, the critical parameter is the Bluetooth codec used. Xiaomi Mi 9 supports modern audio transmission standards such as aptX, aptX HD and LDAC, which provide quality close to-lossless. However, by default, the smartphone can use the basic SBC codec for maximum compatibility, which degrades the sound.

You can check and change the current codec through the developer menu. You first need to activate the developer mode by quickly clicking 7 times on the build number in the About Phone section. Then in the advanced settings, find the "Developer Mode" and scroll down to the Audio section. Here you will see the "Bluetooth Audio Codec" item.

In the list of available codecs, choose one that supports your playback device. If your headphones support LDAC or aptX HD, be sure to choose them. This will provide more data and, as a result, more detailed sound. If you choose a codec that is not supported by headphones, the sound may simply disappear or go into mono mode.

It’s worth noting that using high-end codecs increases battery consumption and can slightly increase game latency.If you’re an avid mobile gamer playing dynamic shooters, it sometimes makes sense to switch to SBC or aptX Low Latency (if available) codecs to minimize audio and video dissynchronization.

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Choosing the right codec in the developer menu is the most effective way to improve the sound quality of wireless headphones without losing connection stability.

Resolving problems with quiet sound and wheezing

A common problem for Xiaomi users is the sudden quietness of the sound or wheezing after a system update. Often it is not due to a break in the speaker, but to software restrictions or driver failures. If the sound is quieter than usual, the first thing to check is whether the function "Hearing Security" or similar limiters in the audio settings are activated.

Also worth paying attention to the physical condition of the speakers. Dust and pile accumulate in the lower end and in the upper earpiece of the Mi 9, which can drown out the sound by 30-40%. Careful cleaning with a soft brush or using ultrasonic cleaning (with caution) can return the previous volume. Software resetting of the sound settings also helps eliminate software glitches.

In some cases, reconfiguration helps: Changing the region in the phone settings (for example, India or Singapore) can remove some software volume restrictions that are in place in Europe due to regulatory regulations, but it can affect the operation of some system applications and advertising integrations.

• 🧹 Cleaning: Use a soft brush to remove dust from speaker grids.
• 🔄 Reset: Reset the sound settings to factory in the sound effects menu.
• 🌍 Region: Change of region can remove program volume limits.
• 🔊 Mono sound: Incorporating mono sound in special features sometimes doubles perceived volume.

⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp objects (needles, pins) to clean speakers.You can pierce the protective membrane or damage the speaker itself, resulting in irreversible failure and loss of warranty.

Engineering menu and deep calibration

For advanced users, there is an engineering menu where you can perform deep calibration of the audio track, which requires caution, since improper actions can lead to unstable operation of the system.

Enter the code ##6484## or ##4636## (codes may vary depending on the version of MIUI). In the menu that opens, select the item related to testing equipment, often called "Hardware Test" or "Cit." Find the "Speaker" or "Audio" section. Here you can run the tests of playback of various frequencies.

The way to enter: Phone → ##6484## → Cit → Speaker → Play

This menu allows you to check each speaker separately, which helps you to detect imbalances. If one speaker sounds much quieter or distorts the sound even at test frequencies, this may indicate a hardware malfunction. It also sometimes allows calibration of microphones, which is useful if you are not able to hear people.

You don't want to change the Gain values in the engineering menu if you don't understand what they're doing. You can burn the speaker in seconds by increasing the gain beyond normal, and use this section primarily for diagnostics, not for constant parameter modification.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions