Why Xiaomiβs Standard Speakers 4S Mi TV user-failure?
Xiaomi Mi TVs TV 4S (model 43" L43M5-5ARU, 50" L50M5-5ARU, 55" L55M5-5ARU And others are known for their price-to-quality ratio, but built-in speakers are often a weak point. Even in the top-end versions with Dolby Audio support, the sound power rarely exceeds the power of the sound. 2Γ8 And there's no bass, and you can see it when you watch surround movies or when you listen to music, the actor's voice can sink in background noises, and the low frequencies sound like a deaf buzz.
The second common scenario is vibration interference, where if the TV is on a stand or mounted on a wall with hollow space, the speakers resonate to create a "wake-up" effect, and in these cases, the external speakers not only improve the sound quality, but also relieve physical discomfort. Luckily, Mi. TV 4S It supports all modern interfaces for connecting acoustics, and today we will analyze each of them - from a simple 3.5 mm. AUX advanced HDMI ARC.
Before we get to the instructions, we will answer the key question: which speakers are better for Xiaomi 4S? It all depends on the budget and tasks:
- π§ For movies and games: sound bar (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Soundbar) or system 2.1/5.1 subwoofer.
- π΅ Music: Studio monitors (such as Edifier) R1280T) or Bluetooth speakers with support AAC/aptX.
- π° Budget option: active computer speakers with an input of 3.5 mm or RCA.
- π For a smart home: speakers with Google Assistant or Mi AI Speaker to integrate with Xiaomi ecosystem.
Method 1: Connecting through HDMI ARC β Best choice for home theater
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel is the only interface that delivers uncompressed multi-channel audio (including Dolby Digital).+ and DTS) No delay, on the Xiaomi Mi. TV 4S plug-in HDMI ARC usually signed HDMI 1 (ARC) And it's colored (usually green or yellow) and it's ideal for connecting sound bars or AV-receivers.
To set up the connection:
- Connect the speaker/receiver to the TV with a High-Speed cable HDMI (version 1.4 or higher).
- Turn on both devices and go to the TV menu: Settings β Sound. β Digital Sound Emergence.
- Choose. HDMI ARC and activate the Control option HDMI (CEC) remote-sync.
- In the column settings (if any) set the mode ARC or TV.
If the sound doesn't come up,
- π Restart both devices (unplug for 30 seconds).
- π§ Check if your column supports ARC (Not all budget models can do that).
- πΆ Update the TV firmware: Settings β On TV. β Updating the system.
Cable is used. HDMI 1.4 or later|
Column supports HDMI ARC|
The TV menu is selected mode HDMI ARC|
The column has mode on. TV/ARC
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β οΈ Warning: If after connecting the sound is delayed (lipsinc), turn off the sound processing in the settings of the TV: β Sound. β Additionally. β Sound processing β Off, 80 percent of the time, it solves the problem.
| Parameter | HDMI ARC | Optical (TOSLINK) | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max, sound quality. | Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD | Dolby Digital, DTS | AAC, aptX (compressed) |
| Sound delay | 0 ms. | 0 ms. | 50-200 ms. |
| Max. cable length. | 15 m m | 10m | 10m (no interference) |
| Supporting the CEC | Yes. | No. | No. |
Method 2: Optical output (TOSLINK) β audiophile HDMI
If your sound system does not support HDMI ARC, But there's an Optical connector (TOSLINK), It's the second-highest option. It's an optical cable that transmits digital signals without interference, which is critical for 5.1 or 7.1 systems. TV 4S optical output is located on the back panel and closed with a plug.
Instructions for connection:
- Remove the plug from the optical connector on the TV.
- Connect the cable. TOSLINK (It is important not to overbend it - fiber optic is fragile!).
- From the TV menu, select: Settings β Sound. β Digital Sound Emergence β Optical.
- Set the sound format: PCM β Dolby Digital for 5.1 systems; Passthrough for original signal transmission without processing.
Frequent problems and solutions:
- π΄ No sound: check if the connector is contaminated (wipe with alcohol), try another cable.
- π Quiet sound: in the column settings, increase the Optical input level.
- ποΈ Distortion: Install on the TV PCM Dolby instead of Dolby β some speakers do not support decoding.
How to check the quality of optical cable?
Method 3: Bluetooth is simple but with limitations
Wireless Bluetooth connectivity is convenient for portable speakers (e.g, JBL Charge or Xiaomi Mi Portable Speaker, but has three key drawbacks:
- Sound delay (lipsinc) - from 50 to 200 ms;
- Audio compression β even with aptX codec, quality is inferior to wired interfaces;
- Interference β if Wi-Fi routers are running nearby at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
To connect the column over Bluetooth:
- Activate the pairing mode on the column (usually hold the power button for 3-5 seconds until the indicator blinks).
- On TV: Settings β Devices β Bluetooth.
- Select your column from the list. If you don't have one, update the list or reboot the Bluetooth module of the column.
- After connecting to the Settings menu β Sound. β Output Sound Select Bluetooth.
How to reduce the latency of sound:
- π± Use speakers with low-latency aptX support (e.g. Sony) SRS-XB43).
- π‘ Switch Wi-Fi router to 5 GHz (if the TV supports).
- π§ In the TV settings, turn off sound processing: Settings β Sound. β Additionally. β Sound effects β Off.
π‘
If the TV canβt see the column, try resetting Bluetooth settings to the TV: Settings β Devices β Bluetooth β Additionally. β Reset the settings. Then you can reconnect the column.
Method 4: AUX (3.5 mm) - universal but obsolete
3.5 mm connector AUX There are on almost all active speakers and sound bars. TV 4S It is located on the back panel and signed as AUDIO OUT. This method is simple but has limitations:
- Only stereo sound is transmitted (no 5.1 support).
- Quality depends on the cable β cheap wires can create a background.
- No volume control from the TV remote (adjustment only on the speakers).
Step-by-step:
- Connect the 3.5mm cable to 3.5mm or 3.5mm β RCA (depending on the column connectors).
- On the TV menu: Settings β Sound. β Sound output β Audio output (3.5 mm).
- Adjust the volume on the speakers (on the TV the volume will always be 100%).
If the sound is quiet or disturbed:
- π Check if the plug is tightly inserted into the connector (often the contact is broken due to dust).
- π In the column settings, turn on the Aux In mode (if any).
- π οΈ Replace the cable with a shielded one (with a ferrite ring).
β οΈ Note: On some Mi models TV 4S (for example, L43M5-5ARU) plug-in 3.5 mm only works in Variable Audio Out mode, which means that the volume is controlled by the TV remote. If your speaker does not support this mode, the sound will always be at its maximum!
Method 5: Connection via Wi-Fi (DLNA/AirPlay) β smart-column
If you have a smart speaker (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) AI Speaker, Apple HomePod or Google Nest Audio, it can be connected to a TV over a local network, and both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. TV 4S There's built-in support DLNA AirPlay (on models with firmware) MIUI TV 3.0+).
Instructions for DLNA:
- Install a streaming app on the column (e.g. BubbleUPnP for Android).
- On TV: Settings β Network β DLNA β Turn on.
- In the speaker app, select the TV as the sound source.
Instructions for AirPlay (Apple speakers only):
- Make sure that the TV and speaker are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- On TV: Settings β Apple AirPlay β Enable.
- Nana iPhone/iPad swipe up for the control panel β Reproduction management β Choose a TV.
Limitations of Wi-Fi connection:
- π΅ Sound delay can reach 300-500 ms (critical for movies).
- πΆ Requires a stable 5 GHz network (2.4 GHz will break).
- π Not all columns support DLNA/AirPlay Receiver mode (most often only as a source).
π‘
Wi-Fi is only suitable for music or podcasts. For movies and games, use it. HDMI ARC Optical due to minimal delay.
Adjusting the sound after connecting the speakers
Even after a successful connection, the sound may require additional tuning. - Xiaomi Mi TV 4S The following options are available:
Basic settings:
- π Settings β Sound. β Volume: General level adjustment (not working for the HDMI ARC Optical and Optical in Passthrough mode).
- ποΈ Settings β Sound. β Equalizer: Pre-setting (Film, Music, Voice) or manual frequency settings.
- π Settings β Sound. β Balance: Left/right channel adjustment (useful if columns are asymmetrical).
Additional parameters (for experienced users):
- π― Settings β Sound. β Additionally. β Auto-tuning of sound: the TV tests the acoustics of the room and selects the optimal settings (works only with built-in speakers).
- π Settings β Sound. β Additionally. β Night mode: compresses dynamic range so that quiet sounds are audible and loud ones are quieter (useful for viewing at night).
- π‘ Settings β Sound. β Additionally. β Digital Sound Output: Selecting a Format for HDMI ARC/Optical (PCM, Dolby Digital, Passthrough).
If the sound is lost after switching channels or exiting sleep mode:
- π Restart the TV (power button on the remote hold 5 seconds).
- π§ Reset the sound settings: Settings β Sound. β Additionally. β Reset the sound settings.
- π Update the firmware of the TV (relevant for models of 2019-2020 release).