Buying wireless acoustics, especially popular brands like Xiaomi or Redmi, always comes with the risk of running into a fake or defective one. The market is saturated with copies that look almost indistinguishable from the original, but inside have cheap components, bad sound and a weak battery, which is why the question of how to check the headphones before buying or immediately after receiving a parcel becomes critical for any user.
There are several levels of verification, from visual inspection of the package to deep testing of hardware modules through hidden menus and specialized applications. Ignoring these steps can lead to the fact that you will use a device with a defective microphone or uneven channel volume without even knowing it. In this article, we will discuss all the stages of diagnosis that will help to identify the shortcomings of the audio device at an early stage.
To begin with, the modern TWS-True Wireless Stereo models are complex gadgets with their own software, and problems can affect not only speakers, but also Bluetooth modules, touch sensors and noise reduction algorithms. The most reliable way to distinguish the original is through the official Mi Wear or Xiaomi Earbuds app, which reads the chip's unique identifier.Without this step, further diagnosis may not make sense if the device is a rough copy.
Visual inspection and completeness check
The first thing that users encounter is packaging: Xiaomi’s original products are high-quality printers, clear fonts and no adhesive marks on the box. At the bottom of the case or on the package, there should always be a sticker with the serial number (SN), IMEI (for some models) and a barcode. These data should match those indicated on the warranty card. Any blurring, spelling errors in the English or Chinese text is a sure sign of counterfeit.
Carefully examine the case and the headphones. The plastic of the original is matte, pleasant to the touch, without gaps and backlashes of the cover. Metal contacts for charging inside the case and on the "plugs" themselves must be clean, without oxides and scratches. The speaker grid should be tightly glued and have no sticking glue. If something rattles inside the case, this indicates a poor assembly or unstuck magnet of the speaker.
Look at the indicators. In the original models, LEDs burn with even light, do not flash chaoticly and have the same brightness. The color of the glow is also important: for example, the Redmi Buds 3 Pro model has a specific shade of white light that is difficult to reproduce in cheap copies. Also check the quality of rubber bottles - they must be elastic, without the sharp smell of chemistry.
⚠️ Note: If the box is not on the box QR-code for quick authentication or it leads to a third-party site instead of the official domain mi.com or miui.com, refrain from activating the device.
The original kit always contains a charging cable (usually Type-C), instructions in several languages (including Russian), and additional earpieces of different sizes. The absence of any of these elements, replacing the cable with a cheaper counterpart, or having a Chinese-only instruction in the Global Version should alert the buyer.
Application interface and authentication
The most effective software test is the use of proprietary software. For most modern Xiaomi and Redmi headphones, the Xiaomi Earbuds app (or integration into Mi Wear) has been developed. Once the app is installed and the headphones are connected via Bluetooth, the original device must be determined automatically, showing the exact percentage of charge of the left and right earphones, as well as the case separately.
Inside the app, you can get the firmware version and update it, and fakes often don't have a chip that supports it. OTA-If you have an update, or the app just can't see the device, even though it's displayed on Bluetooth, if the application offers to update firmware and the process is successful, it's almost 100% originality.
Also worth noting is the speed of pairing: the original Qualcomm or Realtek chips of the latest generation support Fast Pair technology. The connection window appears on the smartphone screen instantly after opening the case cover (provided the phone is unlocked and Bluetooth is on). Cheap counterparts often require manual search in the list of devices and long pairing.
In the app, you can check the touch control. Try changing the tap settings (one hit, two hits, hold) In the original, the response is instantaneous, and the actions are performed clearly. In copies, sensors often work with delay or require strong pressure, which is physically uncomfortable and can damage the body.
What to do if the app does not see the headphones?
Detailed quality control of sound and microphone
After successful pairing, it's time to test the audio track. To check for audio defects, you need to use tracks that you know well, preferably in high quality (FLAC or lossless MP3 320 kbps). Turn on the music and listen carefully to the balance. The left and right channels should sound identical. If one of the headphones has a quieter, deafer or wheezing at high frequencies, this is a dynamic head marriage.
Pay special attention to checking the microphone. Modern models like the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro use a system of multiple microphones with noise reduction algorithms (ENC). To check, call someone or record a voice message in a noisy place. The interviewer must hear your voice clearly, without the effect of "robot" and severe wind interference. If you hear it from a barrel or your voice is interrupted, the microphone module is faulty.
- 🎵 Frequency test: Turn on the test track with sinusoid playback from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Sound should be smooth, without dips at medium frequencies and sharp cutoffs at high frequencies.
- 🗣️ Record the speech from different distances (10 cm, 50 cm, 1 meter) and assess how the volume and noise changes.
- 📞 Call test: Check the microphone during a real conversation by asking the person to rate the legibility of your speech.
It is important to check the active noise cancellation (ANC) if it is stated in the model. Turn on the ANC in a noisy room (metro, street with traffic). You should feel a noticeable decrease in low-frequency hum. If the sound does not change when you turn on the noise mode or there is a strong white noise (hisping) - the algorithm works incorrectly or it is a fake function.
Diagnosis of autonomy and charging case
Battery is one of the most expensive and important components. Manufacturers claim a certain time (for example, 5 hours with ANC or 7 hours without), but in practice these numbers may differ. To test the actual autonomy, put your headphones on the playback of music at medium volume (50-60%) and keep the time to full discharge. A deviation of 10-15% is acceptable, but if the headphones are sat down after 1.5 hours instead of 5, the battery is defective or old.
The case also requires testing. It has to charge the headphones several times (usually 2-4 full cycles). Check the charging speed of the case itself: originals with Quick Charge support gain a significant percentage in 10-15 minutes. If the case charges 5-6 hours, this is a sign of cheap batteries inside.
☑️ Checklist for battery check
Note the indication. In the original devices, the indicator on the case accurately reflects the status: it flashes when charging, it burns constantly at full charge, it changes color at low level. In fakes, the indicator can simply burn all the time while current is going on, regardless of the level of charge.
There is a common problem of "unsynchronizing" the battery, where the app is 100% and the earphone is turned off after 10 minutes. To rule this out, run a full cycle: discharge the headphones to zero (until they stop turning on), then charge the case and headphones to the end without interruption. This calibrates the power controller.
Stability testing of Bluetooth connection
The quality of the wireless module directly affects the comfort of use. Checking the headphones of the shaomi should include a test of range and signal stability. Connect the headphones to the phone, turn on the music and step back to the next room or 10-15 meters in the open space. The signal should not be interrupted, and the sound should stutter.
Latency is also important. To watch videos and especially for games, the delay is critical. Turn on YouTube videos and clap your hands or knock on the table. The sound must match the visual row. If the actor's lips move before you hear the words, that's a high ping, characteristic of older versions of Bluetooth or cheap copies.
Try using headphones next to a working microwave, a Wi-Fi router, or in a crowded place with a variety of other Bluetooth devices. The original Qualcomm QCC or Apple H1/W1 chips (in AirPods, but by comparison) are able to switch frequencies to minimize interference. Cheap counterparts will constantly lose connection.
| Parameter | Original | Fake/Marriage |
|---|---|---|
| Stability of communications | Works up to 10-15 meters without breaks | Disappears behind a wall or 3-5 meters away |
| Delay (Latency) | Low, invisible when watching videos | High, lip and sound dissynchronous |
| Codec of sound | Support for aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC | Basic SBC only |
| Cartoon | Connecting to 2 devices at the same time | Often absent or operating unsteadily |
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To check supported codecs on Android, use the Bluetooth Codec Changer app or check the information in Developer Options -> Bluetooth Audio Codec.
Verification of sensor control and additional functions
Touch control is a device interface. In the original Xiaomi models, the touch area is clearly defined. Check all types of gestures: single touch (Play/Pause), double (next track), triple (previous track) and long retention (switching noisemaker modes or calling an assistant). The response should be instant. If you have to "aim" or knock too hard, the touch layer has degraded or is absent.
Check Auto Pause. Many models have a wear detection. When you take the earpiece out of your ear, the music should be paused. Put it back in, the playback will continue. This checks the proximity optical or capacitive sensors.
Don't forget to use voice assistants. Try calling Google Assistant, Siri, or Xiao AI (depending on the region). Headphones should be able to communicate the command clearly, and when the assistant request is complete, the sound should return to the headphones instead of staying in the phone's speaker.
⚠️ Warning: If you hear a strong whistle when you activate noise reduction or transparent mode, try correcting the earphone landing in the ear. If the whistle remains, the leakiness of the acoustic chamber is broken or the microphones are defective.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings?
Why does one earpiece play quieter than another?
Can I verify the authenticity of the code on the box?
What does the flashing indicator on the case mean?
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Comprehensive testing of Xiaomi headphones includes not only listening to music, but also testing the microphone, sensors, stability of Bluetooth connection and the operation of the proprietary application.