How to tune the sound in Xiaomi headphones: from bass to microphone

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular smartphone accessories because of their combination of price, quality and functionality. However, even top-end models like the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi Buds 5 often sound “not the way” you’d like: weak bass, a booming microphone or an unnatural spatial sound. The problem is not the headphones themselves, but the wrong settings – both at the smartphone level and in the Mi Audio app.

In this article, we will analyze all the ways to customize the sound for wired and wireless headphones Xiaomi: from the basic adjustment of the equalizer to fine parameters like LDAC and ANC. You will learn how to remove hissing in the microphone, why the sound is lost in one earphone, and what settings should never be changed on cheap models (for example, Redmi Buds). 3 Lite, so as not to spoil the sound completely, instructions are valid for all devices on the Internet. MIUI 14/15 HyperOS.

1. Basic sound settings in MIUI/HyperOS

Before digging into the equalizer or codecs, check the basic parameters that affect sound globally. Many problems (silent sound, distortion) are solved in literally 2 clicks.

Open Settings → Sound and vibration on your Xiaomi smartphone.

• 🔊 Media volume: the slider should be at its maximum (but not above 80% for hearing safety). 13T) There is a separate regulator for headphones.
• 🎵 Sound Profile: Select Music or Games – this automatically optimizes the frequency range for content.
• 🔄 Adaptive sound: Turn off this feature if you hear distortions when you change volume. MIUI Sometimes it works incorrectly with headphones of third-party brands.
• 🛠️ Additional settings (cog icon in the upper right corner): here you can turn on Absolute Volume for wireless headphones - this synchronizes the volume on the smartphone and in the headphones themselves.

⚠️ Warning: If after connecting the headphones sound became quieter than through the speakers of the smartphone, check the settings Safe sound mode in Settings → Special facilities → Rumor. MIUI The default limit is volume for headphones to 75%.

2. Equalizer (EQ) setting for different genres of music

The branded equalizer in MIUI and HyperOS allows you to fine-tune the sound, but many users do not know how to use it.

To open the equaliser:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Equator.
2. Select a preset or click "User" for manual settings.
3. For models with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the equalizer can be in Settings → Multimedia → Sound Effects.

If your model doesn’t have a built-in equalizer (like the Redmi Note 12 on some firmware), use third-party apps like Wavelet or Poweramp Equalizer, which support system equalizer even for Bluetooth headphones.

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For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro models, the Mi Audio app has a hidden “Dynamic Bass” – turn it on in the headphone settings for a deeper sound.

3. Sound optimization for wireless headphones (Bluetooth)

Xiaomi's wireless headphones support different audio codecs that playback depends on. By default, the smartphone chooses SBC, the most versatile but not the best quality codec. Here's how to change it:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the gear icon next to the connected headphones.
3. Select the Audio Codec (on some models this item is hidden - you need to first enable Allow high-quality sound).
4. Recommended codecs by priority: 🎧 LDAC (Maximum quality, but high battery consumption – for Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and newer. 🎧 AAC (Balanced quality is the best choice for most models. 🎧 aptX (low latency) – ideal for games and video.

If the sound starts to break after changing the codec, go back to SBC, which means your smartphone or headphones don’t support the chosen standard at the hardware level. Also check the Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.0+ is required for LDAC.

⚠️ Warning: On headphones Redmi Buds 3 Lite and similar budget models forced on LDAC This can cause the headphones to lose sync (only one sound will go) and these models are optimized for the earphones. SBC and AAC.

4. ANC setup and transparent mode

The active noise cancellation (ANC) in Xiaomi headphones (such as Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro or Redmi Buds 4 Active) works better if you set it up correctly.

• 🔇 Level. ANC: In the Mi Audio app, you can choose "Weak," "Mediocre" or "Strong." For the office, medium is enough, and for the plane, maximum.
• 🎧 Transparent mode: Double tap on the earpiece (assignable in Mi Audio) is useful for conversations without removing the headphones.
• 🔋 Battery savings: ANC It's very charge-consuming. Redmi Buds 4 with power on. ANC Work time is reduced from 30 to 18 hours.

To make the ANC work more efficiently:

1. Check the density of fittings – even a small gap reduces noise cancellation to nothing.
2. Update the firmware of the headphones through Mi Audio (section "Software Update").
3. In the ANC settings, turn off Adaptive Noise Canceling – the MIUI algorithm sometimes makes a mistake with the noise level.

Headphones tightly inserted in ears |Selected "Strong" mode in Mi Audio|Switched off adaptive noise reduction |Rapproached headphones to 100% |Checked firmware updates-->

5. Resolving sound problems

If the sound in Xiaomi headphones disappears, distorts or works unstable, use this instruction:

To reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings:

1. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds (on Redmi Buds 4, the button is hidden under the cover).
3. The indicator flashes red, which means that the reset was successful.

6.Mic setting for calls and streams

The microphone in Xiaomi headphones is often criticized for the poor quality of voice transmission.

• 🎤 Choosing a microphone: in the call settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Calls) select "Hearphones" as the primary microphone.
• 🔊 Noise reduction: Enable Voice Improvement in Mi Audio (Microphone Settings section").
• 📱 Mode for games: if you use headphones for streams, turn on Low latency in Bluetooth settings.

For streamers and gamers, it is useful to use the Voice Changer app (preinstalled in MIUI) where you can configure:

• Microphone amplification (+12 dB for quiet voice)
• Noise filter (effective against keyboard or fan).
• Echo compensation (if you hear your voice in headphones).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Buds models 3/4 If you turn on the microphone noise cancellation, you may have a metal sound, in which case you turn off the voice enhancement and use an external microphone (for example, a lavalier).

7. Hidden features in the Mi Audio app

The Mi Audio app (formerly Mi Earphones) contains features not found in standard MIUI settings.

• 🎛️ Customization of controls: You can reassign double/triple touch to any action (e.g., enable switching on) ANC switch off track).
• 🔋 Charge Display: In the settings, enable the option "Show the charge of the headphones on the lock screen".
• 🔍 Search for headphones: if you lost the case, click "Find the device" - the headphones will emit a loud signal.
• 🎵 Auto-disconnect: Headphones will be turned off through 5/10/15 minutes without sound (saves battery).

To access these functions:

1. Install Mi Audio from Google Play (if it is not by default).
2. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
3. Open the app and select your model from the list of devices.

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The Mi Audio app only works with official Xiaomi headphones. For OEM models (such as Haylou or QCY), use their proprietary utilities.

FAQ: Frequent questions about sound tuning