Modern Xiaomi TVs running on Android TV offer users a wide range of multimedia capabilities, but there is often a need to listen to sound without disturbing others, this is especially true for night movies or when other family members are busy with their own business. Connecting headphones to Xiaomi Mi TV is not a complicated process, but has its own nuances, depending on the type of audio device used.
In most cases, users tend to use wireless solutions, as they provide maximum freedom of movement and no unnecessary wires entangle the living room. However, to ensure the best sound quality and minimal latency, it is sometimes advisable to consider wired options, if the design of your TV allows it. Understanding the technical limitations of Bluetooth protocol will help avoid frustration when watching dynamic scenes.
In this article, we will take a look at all the switching options available, from standard menu settings to specialized transmitters, how to pair devices properly, what codecs your model supports, and what to do if sound is played out of sync, and a good audio output setting will turn your TV into a personal theater.
Preparation of equipment and compatibility check
Before you start pairing, you need to make sure your hardware is ready to go.Most modern Xiaomi models, such as the Mi TV Stick series, Mi Box S or smart TVs with a diagonal of 43 inches, have a built-in Bluetooth module. However, in some budget models or older versions of firmware, this feature may be limited or require activation through an engineering menu.
If you plan to use wired headphones, pay attention to the connectors on the back or side of the TV. Often manufacturers remove the classic 3.5 mm jack, leaving only the optical output or HDMI ARC. In such cases, you will need an additional DAC (digital-to-analog converter) or adapter, which we will talk about in the corresponding section.
For wireless models, it is important to check the battery charge, as the search and initial pairing process can take time, and also make sure that the headphones are in the “pairing mode”, which is usually activated by a long pressing of the power button or a special button with a Bluetooth image.
- 🎧 Make sure the headphones are at least 50% charged for a stable connection.
- 📺 Check out the Android version TV Settings menu → On TV.
- 🔌 Prepare the necessary cables or Bluetooth adapters if there is no built-in module.
⚠️ Attention: Some active noise-canceling headphones may conflict with the TV's audio codecs, causing cracks. If you encounter a problem, try turning off the audio codecs. ANC (Active Noise Cancellation).
Codec compatibility is critical in audio transmission. The standard SBC codec is supported by all devices, but it provides medium quality and can produce noticeable latency. Xiaomi's more advanced models can support aptX or AAC, which makes things much better, but requires support from the headphones themselves.
Connecting Bluetooth headphones through the system menu
The most common and convenient way is to use the built-in Android TV interface. First, you need to go to the main settings menu, which can be done by clicking the button with the image of the gear on the remote control or selecting the appropriate icon in the upper right corner of the start screen.
Once you enter the settings, find the peripheral section. Depending on the version of the MIUI for TV shell or pure Android TV, the path may be slightly different. It usually falls under the Settings category → Remotes and Accessories or Settings → Bluetooth. It displays all previously connected devices and provides a new search feature.
☑️ Connection algorithm
When the TV starts searching, it will display a list of available devices within range. Find the name of your headphones in the list and click on it. The system can request a pairing confirmation or enter PIN-code, which is most often 0000 or 1234, although modern devices often connect automatically without entering the code.
It is important to understand that when you connect a Bluetooth device, the TV automatically switches the output of sound to them, turning off the built-in speakers. If this does not happen, you need to manually change the audio output settings in the Settings → Sound → Output menu by selecting your headphones there.
Use of wired connection and adapters
Not all users are happy with the quality of wireless transmission or face limitations in the time of work of headphones. In such cases, a wired connection comes to the rescue. However, as mentioned earlier, modern Xiaomi thin TVs rarely have analog output. 3.5 The most common optical output (S/PDIF) or USB-port.
To connect through USB You'll need headphones with USB-plug-in USB-DAC (external sound card) The TV must support the output of sound through USB Audio Class, which is implemented in most versions of Android TV 9.0 and up. Just put the device in the port, and the system should recognize it as an audio output.
If you have an optical output (Toslink), the situation is a little more complicated. You will need an optics to analog signal (DAC) converter with power, since the optical port only transmits a digital signal. The connection circuit will look like this: TV (Optical Out) → Toslink Cable → DAC → Headphones (3.5 mm Jack).
| Type of connection | Equipment required | Sound quality | Delay. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth (SBC) | Built-in module | Average. | Tall. |
| Bluetooth (aptX LL) | Codec support | High. | Low. |
| USB DAC | External sound map | Great. | Minimum |
| Optical to 3.5mm | DAC converter | Good. | Absent. |
When you use external DACs via USB or optics, you get a sound that is devoid of the compression that Bluetooth has, which is especially noticeable when watching movies with quality Dolby Digital or DTS audio tracks, where low- and high-frequency detail is important.
Solution to Sound Latency Problems (Lip-Sync)
One of the most common problems with wireless headphones with TVs is the desynchronization of audio and video, and you can see actors' lips already moving and the sound coming late, a phenomenon called Lip-sync error, caused by the time it takes to encode, transmit and decode the audio signal.
Xiaomi TV's audio settings often feature delay correction. Try Settings → Sound → Additional settings and find the "Sync Sound" or "Delay Correction" slider. By moving it, you can get the sound into the video's beat. However, this method doesn't work for all applications the same.
Why is there a delay?
If the software fix doesn't work, the only way out is to use a transmitter that supports aptX Low Latency technology, which connects to the optical output of the TV and transmits the signal to compatible headphones with minimal latency, a hardware solution that works more stable than Android software crutches.
Also, delay can occur due to overloading the TV processor with third-party applications. Try closing background processes or clearing the system cache to free up resources for processing the multimedia stream.
Set up equalizer and sound profiles
Once you've successfully connected, it's important to customize the sound to yourself. Settings → Sound → Sound Mode has a variety of presets available, such as "Cinema", "Music", "News" or "User". Headphones are often best suited to "Hi-Fi" or manual settings, as the TV's built-in speakers are not used.
Many users forget about the Dolby Audio feature, which is built into Xiaomi TVs. When connecting headphones, make sure that the audio output format is installed in Auto or PCM. Choosing the wrong format can lead to no sound or distortion, especially if the headphones do not support surround sound.
For advanced users, third-party equalizer apps from the Google Play Store are available on a TV, such as Bass Booster or Equalizer FX. They allow you to fine-tune the frequency range by adding bass or highlighting voices, which is especially useful for quiet dialogue in movies.
Alternative methods and use of transmitters
In situations where the built-in Bluetooth TV is unstable, has a weak range or is not at all, external Bluetooth transmitters come to the rescue. These compact devices connect to the optical output or AUX (if any) and transmit the signal to the headphones.
The advantage of external transmitters is that they are independent of the TV operating system, they do not load the Mi TV processor and often support a wider range of codecs, and they also allow you to connect two pairs of headphones at once, which is convenient for sharing.
When choosing a transmitter, pay attention to the availability of support for aptX Low Latency and the ability to work in Receiver/Transmitter mode. This will make the device a versatile tool for connecting not only to the TV, but also to old music centers or car radios.
⚠️ Note: When using external Bluetooth transmitters, volume is only adjusted on the headphones themselves, as the TV considers them a digital output.
Installing such a device is simple: plug it into the Optical Out port, switch to TX (Transmit) mode, and start pairing. The TV will think it is emitting sound to an external speaker system, and the transmitter converts this signal to Bluetooth.