How to tune the sound on Xiaomi headphones: from bass to noise cancellation

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular accessories for music lovers and gamers, thanks to a combination of sound quality, functionality and affordable price. However, even top-end models like Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi AirDots 3 require the right setup to unleash the full potential. Without proper calibration, the sound can seem flat, the basses blurred, and the microphone is quiet to the interlocutor.

In this article, we will analyze all the ways to customize the sound on Xiaomi headphones - from the basic parameters in the smartphone to hidden functions in the proprietary Mi Audio app. You will learn how to improve bass, adjust the equalizer for the genres of music, activate noise cancellation (ANC) And even optimize the sound for games and calls, and if the sound is gone or there's interference, you can find solutions to the problems.

Instructions are suitable for most models: Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro, Redmi Buds 4/5, Haylou (a sub-brand of Xiaomi), as well as wired headphones such as Mi In-Ear. Separately consider the settings for Android and iOS, as the capabilities on these platforms differ.

1. Basic sound tuning via smartphone

Before digging into the headphone settings, check the global sound parameters on the smartphone itself. Often the problems lie not in the headset, but in the system limitations.

On Android, including MIUI, HyperOS and other shells) are the way:

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Check the volume slider for Media (music, video) and Calls.
3. Activate the option Absolute Volume (if any) – it synchronizes volume levels between the phone and headphones.

On the iPhone:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Music. → Equalizer and select preset (such as Bass or Rock).
• 🔊 B Settings → Sounds, tactile signals adjust the stereo balance (useful if the sound is shifted left/right).
• 🎧 At Control Point (swipe down) hold the volume slider to select the output device (earphones).

⚠️ Note: Some features on iPhone (for example, LDAC or aptX) may not be available due to Apple's limitations. For full-fledged wireless headphones Xiaomi better use Android device.

If the sound is too quiet, even at maximum, check:

• 🔋 Headphone charge (at low battery level, volume automatically decreases).
• 📦 Presence of contaminants in speakers (clean with a soft brush).
• 🔄 Safe sound mode in smartphone settings (turn off if activated).

2. Set up through the Mi Audio branded app

For fine-tuning the sound, Xiaomi has released the official Mi Audio app (formerly Mi Earphones), which supports most headphone models and allows:

• 🎛️ Set up an equalizer (manually or choose presets).
• 🔇 Controlling noise reduction (ANC) and transparency regime.
• 🎤 Optimize the microphone for calls.
• ⚡ Update the firmware of headphones.

How to connect headphones to Mi Audio:

1. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Turn on the headphones and connect them to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
3. Open Mi Audio – the app will automatically determine the model.

Guide to setting up the equalizer:

1. Go to the Equalizer tab.
2. Choose preset (Bases, Classics, Jazz) or adjust sliders manually: 60 Hz - bass (increase for electronic music). 250-500 Hz - medium frequencies (important for vocals). 1-4 kHz - high frequencies (responsible for the "airiness" of the sound).

Save the settings as a user profile.

Increase 60Hz and 250Hz for hip hop|Raise 1-4 kHz for classics|Reduce 500Hz for rock music|Level all the sliders for podcasts-->

For models with active noise cancellation (ANC), For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, available in the app:

• 🔕 ANC — Total noise reduction (for transport).
• 🌿 Transparency – allows external sounds to pass (useful on the street).
• 🎧 Adaptive mode – automatically adjusts the level ANC.

⚠️ Attention: ANC If the headphones are discharged in 2-3 hours, check if this mode is on constantly. In Mi Audio you can set an automatic shutdown. ANC low-charge.

3. Bluetooth Codecs: How to Choose the Best for Sound

The sound quality of wireless headphones depends on the Bluetooth codec, an audio stream compression algorithm. Xiaomi supports several codecs, and their choice can dramatically change the sound.

The main codecs in Xiaomi headphones:

How to change the codec on Android:

1. Open the settings → Connected devices.
2. Click on the gear icon next to your headphones.
3. Choose Sound Quality or Bluetooth Codec.
4. Set a priority codec (we recommend aptX or LDAC music).

On the iPhone codec fixed (AAC), However, for models like Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, you can enable High-quality audio in Bluetooth settings (if available).

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If the sound starts to stop after the codec change, go back to the SBC — It is the most stable, although not the best quality.

4.Configuring the microphone for calls

Bad hearing during calls is a common problem for owners of Xiaomi Buds.

• 🎤 Contaminated microphones (clean the holes with a needle).
• 📶 Weak Bluetooth signal (close to the phone).
• ⚙️ Misconfigured microphone settings in Mi Audio.

How to improve the sound of the microphone:

1. In Mi Audio, go to the Microphone tab.
2. Activate the voice improvement option (remove noise and echoes).
3. Select Outdoor or Indoor mode depending on the conditions.
4. For models with ENC (noise reduction for microphones, turn on this function.

If the person is still not hearing well,

• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones to the phone.
• 📱 Check if the microphone is covering your finger.
• 🔧 Update the headphone firmware through Mi Audio.

5.Sound problems and their solutions

Even when you're fine-tuned, you can have typical problems, and we'll look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

The sound is interrupted or stuttered:

• 📶 Bluetooth problem: Disable other devices connected to your phone.
• 🔋 Low charge headphones or phone (charge both devices).
• 📦 Interference from other wireless devices (routers, microwaves).
• 🔄 Change the Bluetooth codec to SBC (see section 3).

No sound in one earpiece:

• 🧹 Clean the speaker of dirt (use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol).
• 🔊 Check the stereo balance in the smartphone settings.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones or reset them to factory settings.

Noise or crackle:

• 🎧 Possible cable damage (for wired models).
• 🔋 Battery problem (for wireless headphones).
• 📱 Conflict with other apps (try to turn on music in Safe Mode).

⚠️ Attention: If after falling or getting moisture in the headphones appeared crunch or the sound is completely gone, do not try to turn them on - this can lead to a short circuit.

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Most sound problems are solved by reconnecting your headphones or changing your Bluetooth codec, and if it doesn't work, check the physical condition of your device.

6. Additional chips to improve sound

Besides the standard settings, there are hidden features that will help you squeeze the most out of your Xiaomi headphones.

For Android (MIUI/HyperOS):

• 🎵 Include Mi Sound Enhancer in Settings → Sound. → Additional (improving bass and high frequencies).
• 🎧 Activate Adaptive Sound (automatically adjusts the equalizer to the genre of music).
• 🔊 In Developer Settings, turn on Absolute Volume (if the sound is too quiet).

For games and videos:

• 🎮 In Mi Audio, select Game mode – it reduces the latency of sound.
• 📺 In YouTube or Netflix settings, set the sound quality to High.
• 🔊 For PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Disable ANC — he adds a delay.

For Hi-Res music:

• 🎶 Use apps like Tidal, Qobuz, or Apple Music (they support Lossless).
• 🔌 Connect headphones over the wire (if the model supports) for minimal quality losses.
• 🎛️ In Mi Audio, select a codec LDAC and turn off all effects.

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To check the sound quality, use the test tracks from the AudioCheck website. Pay special attention to the tests for bass (20-60 Hz) and high frequencies (10-20 kHz).

7. Update to the headphone firmware

The manufacturer regularly releases updates for Xiaomi headphones that fix sound bugs, add new codecs or improve ANC. You can check the relevance of the firmware in Mi Audio.

How to update your headphones:

1. Connect your headphones to your phone and open Mi Audio.
2. Go to the About device or settings tab.
3. Click Firmware Update and follow the instructions.
4. Do not turn off the headphones and do not close the application until the process is completed (it takes 2-5 minutes).

What the update does:

• 🎧 Correction of sound problems (cracking, cliffs).
• 🔋 Optimizing battery consumption.
• 🎛️ Adding new equalizer presets.
• 🔊 Support for new codecs (e.g, LC3 for LE Audio).

⚠️ Warning: If the sound gets worse after the update (for example, the bass is gone), reset the headphones to the factory in Mi Audio and set the equalizer again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about sound tuning