Modern smartphones from Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco are often equipped with good multimedia capabilities, but the standard audio settings do not always satisfy demanding users. Many owners are faced with the fact that even in expensive headphones, the sound seems flat, devoid of bass or simply too quiet. This is a common problem that is solved not by replacing equipment, but by competent software calibration.
MIUI and the new HyperOS have a lot of tools to change the sound scene, from fine-tuning the equalizer frequencies to activating hidden high-resolution codecs, all of which are available without installing third-party apps, and in this article, we’ll look at how to make the most of your smartphone’s audio track.
Before you get to the tricky ones, make sure the basics are set correctly. Often users just forget to turn on the audio enhancement feature, which can be deactivated by default or set to a standard profile. The quality of playback depends on how well you set up the software interface between the phone and the headphones.
Basic settings of Mi Sound and equalizer
The first step to high-quality audio is to activate the built-in Mi Sound Enhancer, a tool designed by the company's engineers specifically to compensate for the frequency characteristics of various headphone models, and you can find it by going to the Settings menu → Sound and Vibration → Sound Effects. This opens up access to the basic set of correction tools.
Inside the menu, you'll see the Mi Sound Enhancer switch that you want to activate. Once you turn on, the system will suggest you choose the type of headphones you use: regular, in-ear headphones or headset. This choice is critical, because the signal processing algorithm will adapt to the acoustic design of your device. Don't ignore this step, even if you use third-party accessories.
Next, you should pay attention to the built-in graphic equalizer. Standard presets like Pop or Rock often sound unnatural, adding unnecessary distortions. You should use manual adjustment. Raise low frequencies (60 Hz - 150 Hz) to add depth to the bass, and high (4 kHz - 16 kHz) - for clarity of vocals and instruments. However, be careful: excessive lifting of sliders can lead to wheezing.
💡
When manually adjusting the equalizer, take steps no more than 2-3 dB. A sharp rise in frequencies often leads to digital distortion (clipping), which impairs the overall perception of music.
It’s worth noting that Mi Sound’s settings apply globally to all apps, including streaming services and local players. If you like listening to music from multiple sources, this versatility will be a big plus. However, for some apps with native audio processing (such as Spotify or YouTube Music), phone settings can conflict with internal app equalizers.
Setting up Bluetooth codecs for wireless headphones
If you use a wireless headset, the sound quality depends on the selected data codec. By default, Android on Xiaomi smartphones often chooses a conservative SBC codec, which provides compatibility but sacrifices quality. To get Hi-Res sound, you need to forcefully switch to more advanced algorithms such as AAC, aptX or LDAC.
To access these settings, you will need to activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI or HyperOS seven times. Once the "You're a developer" notification appears, go back and go to Additional → For Developers. Find the "Audio" section or search by settings by typing in the word "Bluetooth".
In the developer menu, you're interested in the item "Bluetoothooth audio codec." When you click on it, you'll see a list of available codecs supported by your smartphone and connected headphones. If your headphones support aptX Adaptive or LDAC, be sure to choose them, which will provide more data and a wider frequency bandwidth.
⚠️ Note: Use of high resolution codecs (LDAC, aptX HD) The battery of the smartphone and headphones will discharge faster, and in rare cases, micro-delays in video are possible.
Also on this menu, check the "Bittle and sampling rate" option. For maximum quality, select 24 bits / 96 kHz if your headset allows. This is especially true for listening. FLAC-Standard settings often limit the flow to 16 bits, which "cuts" the dynamic range.
Why does LDAC codec not work?
Use of Dolby Atmos and Spatial Sound
Many of Xiaomi’s flagship and mid-range models feature licensed Dolby Atmos technology, which creates a surround sound effect even if you use conventional stereo headphones, and virtually places sound sources around the listener, creating a more immersive experience when watching movies and games.
Dolby Atmos can be activated via the Settings path → Sound and Vibration → Sound Effects → Dolby Atmos. There are several modes available here: Automatic, Video, Music and Voice. Music is the best mode for music, which extends the stereobase. However, some audiophiles prefer to turn off Dolby for critical listening, since the algorithm can artificially color the original mix.
Special attention should be paid to the Spatial Audio feature, which has appeared in newer versions of the shell, which tracks the position of the head (if the gyroscope is in the headphones) and adjusts the sound scene.
| Dolby Atmos mode | Description | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic. | The system determines the content itself | Daily use, mixed content |
| Video | Enhances dialogue and effects | Movies, TV shows, YouTube |
| Music. | Expands stereo and balances frequencies | Music streaming, local files |
| Voice. | Highlights the average frequencies | Podcasts, audiobooks, call. |
It’s important to understand the difference between a simple virtual surround and a real object-oriented sound. Xiaomi smartphones most often implement virtualization that works well with any stereo content. If you notice the sound has become “bulging” or lost detail, try changing the profile or completely disabling Dolby Atmos for comparison.
Hidden settings through the engineering menu
For advanced users who are not afraid to experiment, there is access to deeper audio track settings. The engineering menu allows you to adjust Gain levels for different use cases. Be extremely careful: improper settings can lead to overloading speakers or failure of the audio codec.
You can log in to the engineering menu by dialing in dialer code ##6484##. This will open the CIT testing menu. Here you can find the audio-related item (often called "Audio", "Speaker" or "Headset"). In some versions of MIUI, access to the full frequency table is closed, but basic tests are always available.
If your region and firmware version allow, you can see a volume table, which is usually divided into categories: Media (media), Ring (calls), Alarm (alarms). We're interested in Media. Increasing the values here can make quiet headphones louder, but the risk of distortion (wheezing) at maximum volume increases exponentially.
⚠️ Note: Before making changes to the engineering menu, write down the initial values. Resetting to factory settings in this section through the normal recovery menu may not work, you may need to flash or reset all data.
There is also a method of adjusting through ADB-commands that are safer than direct editing of system files, but require a connection to a PC. volume_steps_sco 15 They can change the number of volume steps, making the adjustment smoother, but it doesn't increase the maximum power, it just breaks the scale.
☑️ Check before changing system settings
Third-party applications for sound correction
When MIUI is not enough, third-party solutions from Google Play come to the rescue, and Poweramp Equalizer has been a leader in this field for many years, intercepting audio streams and applying its own processing algorithms, often better than the system, and the app is paid, but the trial functionality is quite sufficient for evaluation.
Another powerful tool is Wavelet, which is unique in having an AutoEQ for thousands of headphones, and you pick your model from the list, and the app automatically adjusts the equalizer to make the AFR as smooth as possible, ideal for anyone who wants to hear music the way the sound engineer intended.
For users who simply lack volume, Volume Control GO or analogues that allow you to amplify the signal above the system limit are suitable, but it is worth remembering the physiological safety: prolonged listening to sound above 85 dB can lead to irreversible hearing loss.
When installing these applications, the system may request permission to access, which is necessary to intercept volume control, and for security reasons, only give those permissions to trusted applications with a good reputation and a lot of feedback.
💡
Third-party equalizers like the Poweramp or Wavelet often deliver a more accurate and transparent sound than standard Xiaomi settings, especially for specific headphone models.
Addressing common sound problems
Even after all the settings, users may encounter artifacts such as cracks, interrupts, or quiet sound. One of the common reasons is Absolute Volume. In the developer menu, find "Settings → For developers," "Switch off absolute volume." If it's on, turn it off, and vice versa. This synchronizes the volume slider of the phone and headphones.
Another problem is that there's an application conflict, and if you have multiple players or call apps installed (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram), they can do audio focus, try closing the background apps and checking the sound, and cleaning the Media Service cache in the application management menu also helps.
If the sound is quiet all of a sudden, check the speaker grid (if the speakerphone is a problem) or the headphone jack. The 3.5mm jack often accumulates dust and pile that keeps the plug from entering the end. Carefully clean the connector with a wooden toothpick or compressed air. In the case of Type-C headphones, the problem may be oxidation of the contacts.
If you have problems after an update, it makes sense to search the 4PDA or Mi Community forums, sometimes resetting your network settings or resetting it to a factory settings helps, but this is a last resort.