Integrating an external speaker system with a smart TV is a standard step for those who want to enjoy the most content. The built-in speakers of modern thin panels, including Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TV models, often fall short of sound quality even to budget external solutions. Users face flat sound and lack of deep bass, which is especially noticeable when watching blockbusters or listening to music.
Fortunately, the Android TV ecosystem on which most Xiaomi TVs are based offers a wide range of opportunities to expand audio capabilities: you can use both wired connections for maximum signal quality, and wireless technologies for convenience and minimization of wires in the interior. The choice of method depends on your acoustic model, the availability of appropriate ports on the TV and personal preferences for sound quality.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available connectivity options, from simple Bluetooth pairing to professional optical output solutions. We will also look at the typical audio desynchronization issues and how to fix them. Competent setup will allow you to turn a regular living room into a full-fledged home theater with surround and clean sound.
Features of the audio system of Xiaomi TVs
Before you get to the physical connection, it’s important to understand what software you’re going to be working with. Xiaomi TVs run Android TV or PatchWall operating system modifications.This means that audio devices are managed through the standard Android settings menu, making it much easier for those already familiar with smartphones.
One of the key features is that you can support different audio codecs and output formats. In the audio settings, you can find options for switching between PCM and Dolby Digital. When connecting external acoustics, it is critical to choose the right format so that the TV transmits the raw signal to the speaker decoder, rather than trying to process it with its limited means.
Why can the sound be quiet even on the outside?
It’s worth noting that some budget models may not have a full set of ports. For example, the lack of optical output (S/PDIF) in thin models is offset by a combined 3.5mm AV Out connector that requires a special adapter. Always check the specification of your particular Xiaomi Mi TV Stick or Mi Box model before buying cables.
Connecting via Bluetooth: Wireless Freedom
The most popular and easy way to do this without needing to buy additional cables or adapters is to use Bluetooth technology, which is ideal for connecting portable speakers, BT soundbars and wireless headphones, but it is worth considering that wireless data transfer can cause a small latency, which is sometimes noticeable when viewing dynamic scenes.
To start pairing, make sure your speaker is in detection mode, usually by pressing the on button or a special button with a Bluetooth image before the indicator blinks, then grab the remote control of the TV and go to the main menu.
Navigation on the menu is carried out as follows:
- 📺 Press the Home button on the remote to access the main menu.
- ⚙️ Go to the top right corner and select the gear icon (Settings).
- 🔊 Find the Remote and Accessories or Sound section depending on the firmware version.
- 📡 Select Add Accessory or Add Device.
The TV will start scanning available devices within range. Once your speaker name appears in the list, select it to pair. The process can take 5 to 15 seconds. Once connected successfully, the system will issue a notification, and the sound will automatically switch from the internal speakers to the external acoustics.
☑️ Checking Bluetooth connection
Use of optical output (S/PDIF)
For audiophiles and owners of quality home theaters, the most preferred option is a digital optical connection. The S/PDIF (Optical) port allows you to transmit multi-channel sound without loss and compression, ensuring the best quality of playback. This method completely eliminates radio interference and delays typical of Bluetooth.
Most Xiaomi Mi TVs with a diagonal of 43 inches come with an integrated optical output. It is usually located on the back or side, next to HDMI ports. To connect you will need a standard optical cable (Toslink), which often comes with soundbars, or is purchased separately.
An important point is to adjust the audio output format after the cable is physically connected. By default, the TV can continue to send a Stereo PCM signal even if your system supports Dolby Digital 5.1. To fix this, go to Settings → Sound → Digital Output and select Dolby Digital or Auto.
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Use an optical cable only when the device is turned off. Although the Toslink standard is protected from damage, a sharp connection under load can theoretically cause a voltage surge in the port, which in rare cases leads to the failure of the optical modulator.
If your TV model does not have a separate optical output, but there is a combined 3.5 mm connector, you will need a special adapter 3.5 mm to Optical. Note that such adapters often require external power via USB, as the voltage in the minijack connector is not enough to operate the optical converter.
Connection via HDMI ARC and eARC
The current HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) standard and its improved version of eARC allow you to transmit audio from your TV to a receiver or soundbar over the same cable as a video, the most elegant solution, allowing you to control the volume of the speaker directly from the TV remote and automatically turn on the acoustics when you start the TV.
To implement this scheme, your Xiaomi TV and column (soundbar or soundbar) AV-The receiver must support the technology ARC. On television, it is usually a port signed as HDMI (ARC). Connect the cable. HDMI to this port on TV and to the port HDMI OUT (ARC) acoustically.
After you connect, you need to activate the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) control protocol, which can be called differently on Xiaomi TVs depending on the firmware region:
- 🔌 In the settings menu, find the Device Settings or General.
- 📺 Select the Input Signals or CEC.
- ✅ Activate the switch Control on HDMI or MI Remote+.
Activating the CEC will allow you to synchronize your devices, so when you switch signals or adjust volume, the TV will send commands to the speaker, and that eliminates the need to use two remotes at once.
| Type of connection | Sound quality | Delay (Latency) | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Medium (compression) | High (notable in games) | Maximum. |
| Optics (S/PDIF) | High (no compression) | Minimum | Medium (need cable) |
| HDMI ARC | Maximum (eARC) | Absent. | High (1 remote) |
| 3.5 mm (AUX) | Low (analogue) | Absent. | Low (cable) |
Set up sound parameters in Android TV
Once the external acoustics are physically connected, it is crucial to properly configure the software part. Xiaomi TV's standard settings are often focused on the built-in speakers and can distort the sound on the external system. The initial calibration will take no more than five minutes, but the result is worth it.
First of all, look at Surround Sound. If you've connected a stereo speaker, it can lead to a phantom "empty" sound. For stereo, you'd better choose Stereo or None. If you have a full-fledged Dolby soundbar, make sure to choose Dolby Digital.
You should also check the equalizer settings. Go to Settings → Sound → Sound Mode. Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mo
The Auto Volume Leveler feature, which equalizes the volume of ads and quiet scenes, often strangles the movie dynamics, is worth noting. For home theaters, it is better to turn off this feature to preserve the original design of the sound engineers.
Solution: desynchronization and lack of sound
One of the most common problems with connecting external speakers, especially over Bluetooth, is the desynchronization of audio and video. The actors' lips can move sooner or later than the voice is heard. This phenomenon is called Latency. Some Xiaomi models have a hidden engineering setup to compensate for this delay.
If there's no sound at all, even though the connection is installed, check if you've selected something else as the output device. Sometimes the system sticks on the internal speakers. Try to force the output to switch to the Sound menu → Speakers → External speakers.
⚠️ Note: When using adapters from 3.5 mm to optical output, make sure that the TV supports digital output through this connector. TV Stick) through minijack only give an analog stereo signal, and the digital optical cable will not work.
Another cause of the problem may be sampling frequency incompatibility: If the speaker supports only 44.1 kHz, and the TV sends 48 kHz or 96 kHz, there may be no sound, in which case the engineering menu (available through special applications like TV Assistant) can limit the maximum output frequency, but this requires caution.
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If the sound is interrupted or cracked when connected over Bluetooth, try turning off Wi-Fi on your TV or switching to 5 GHz. 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth wireless networks work in the same frequency range and can cause severe interference to each other.
In case the HDMI ARC port is completely down, try replacing the cable with an Ethernet-enabled High Speed HDMI version.Old cables may not physically have contact for the audio return channel, even if they support 4K video.