Owners of modern Xiaomi TVs often face a situation where the visual component of the Mi LED or OLED screen is significantly superior to the built-in audio system. The compact housing dictates its terms, limiting the size of the speakers and acoustic volume, which leads to flat sound and a lack of bass. However, the built-in operating system Android TV or Google TV provides powerful software correction tools that can radically change the perception of content.
In this article, we will not only discuss standard settings, but also hidden features available through the developer menu and third-party applications. You will learn how to properly configure the equalizer, which codecs to activate for surround sound and when it is advisable to use external acoustic systems.
Before we get to the tricky part, we need to make a basic diagnosis of the current state of the audio system. Often the problem is not the hardware, but the software settings that have gone wrong or the application has gone wrong. Resetting the audio settings to the factory settings in the Sound menu often solves 80 percent of the problems with distortion and quiet playback.
Basic audio setting in the TV menu
The first step to sound quality is to deep-tuning the standard menu. In Xiaomi TVs, the path to settings may vary slightly depending on the version of the PatchWall shell or Android TV, but the logic remains the same. You need to go to Settings → Sound, where the main controls are hidden.
It's important to pay attention to sound modes here. Standard or Normal is often a compromise and doesn't unlock the potential of the speakers. Try switching to Movie or Sport, which usually amplify the average frequencies for intelligibility of the dialogues and add dynamics to the explosions. Music is the best option for music content, which equalizes the frequency balance.
Special attention should be paid to the Adaptive Sound or Auto Volume feature, which in some models tries to level the volume between quiet and loud scenes, but often results in dynamic range compression, making the sound “cotton”. If you watch movies with a quality mix, this feature is better to turn off.
- 🎚️ Equator: manual frequency band adjustment to emphasize bass or high frequencies.
- 📢 Balance: adjusting the volume ratio of the left and right channel.
- 🎬 Modes: settings (Cinema, Sports, Game) for quick profile switching.
Remember, the equaliser changes need to be made carefully. Excessively raising low frequencies to maximum volume can cause the built-in speakers to wheez because their membrane travel is physically limited. The optimal solution is a slight correction within 2-3 dB.
Working with equalizer and frequencies
The built-in equalizer is the most powerful tool for improving sound without buying additional equipment. In Xiaomi Mi TVs, it is often presented as a set of sliders corresponding to specific frequency bands. Understanding what each band is responsible for will allow you to create the perfect sound profile to your preferences.
Low frequencies (usually 60Hz to 250Hz) are responsible for bass and depth. Body augmentation adds to voices and makes the explosions in movies more palpable. However, as mentioned earlier, embedded speakers have a physical limit. If you have a hum or rattle of the body after raising the low frequencies, immediately turn that slider down.
The average frequencies (from 250 Hz to 4 kHz) are the basis of speech intelligibility, and that's where most human voices lie. If you think the actors in the movie are muttering or their words are drowning in background noise, try to lift the sliders slightly around 1 kHz to 2 kHz, which will make the dialogues clearer and more focused.
High frequencies (from 4 kHz to 16 kHz) add airiness, detail and "ringing" to the sound, which is responsible for the sound of plates in music, whispers and various special effects. Too much high frequency makes the sound sharp, fatigue hearing and cause the effect of "sand" in speakers.
To create a universal profile that will work for most tasks, you can use the following correction scheme, presented in the table below.
| Frequency range | Recommended correction | Impact on sound |
|---|---|---|
| 60 Hz - 150 Hz | +2 dB (caution) | Adds depth and volume, but can cause wheezing. |
| 400 Hz - 1 kHz | 0 dB or -1 dB | Removes the “box” shade, often redundant in small cases. |
| 2 kHz - 4 kHz | +3 db | Improves the clarity of dialogues and the clarity of sounds. |
| 8 kHz - 16 kHz | +1 dB | Adds detail and transparency to high notes. |
Experiment with settings by listening to familiar content. The perfect equalizer picture isn't always a straight line or a smooth arc, but the result that your ears in your room like, given its acoustics.
Digital outputs and external acoustics connection
If the built-in system is not enough, the only solution is to connect external acoustics. Xiaomi TVs are equipped with a set of interfaces that allow them to be integrated into a full-fledged home theater system. The best way to transmit sound is using a digital output.
Optical Out or Toslink transmits digitally lossless audio, the best choice for connecting to an external DAC, receiver, or soundbar, and the settings for the TV must select Digital Output and set the output format to Pass-through or RAW so that the TV does not attempt to decode the sound itself, but transmits the original bitstream.
⚠️ Note: When using an optical cable, make sure that the output format is selected in the audio settings. PCM Or Bitstream, depending on the capabilities of your speaker system, and the wrong choice will result in no sound or static noise.
The 3.5mm headphone jack (Mini-Jack) is also present in many models, but it is analog. The sound quality through this output depends on the built-in DAC TV, which is usually of average quality, and it is worth using it to connect simple computer speakers or headphones, but not to create a quality cinema.
The current standard for audio and video transmission is the HDMI ARC/eARC interface. If you have an ARC-enabled soundbar or receiver, plug it into the appropriate port on your TV, which will allow you to control the soundbar volume from the TV remote and automatically switch sources. To activate this feature, you need to enable the HDMI Control (or Mi Remote) option in the system settings.
- 🔌 Optical: the best option for old Hi-Fi equipment and mid-range soundbars.
- 🎧 3.5 mm: suitable for budget solutions and headphones, quality average.
- 📺 HDMI ARC: modern standard, supports multi-channel sound and control of one remote control.
When connecting via Bluetooth, it is important to understand bandwidth limitations. Standard SBC and even AAC codecs compress the audio stream, which can be noticeable on quality music. For movies, the difference is less noticeable, but latency can be a problem. In Bluetooth settings, you can sometimes find the option of prioritizing quality or delay — choose quality.
Customization of codecs and sound formats
Android operating system TV on board the TVs Xiaomi supports playback of various audio formats, from compressed MP3 before_lossless_ Dolby Digital tracks and multi-channel tracks, and the right decoding setting is critical to delivering the manufacturer's stated quality.
The audio menu often contains the option "Digital format" or "Output format" and features options like "Auto", "PCM", "Dolby Digital", "DTS" and "Auto" is the most secure, because the TV itself determines the capabilities of the connected device and chooses the appropriate format, but if you use an external system, forced on Dolby Digital Plus can give the best result.
Users who want to access hidden audio settings may need to activate developer mode, which allows you to change some system settings, such as disabling post-processing or changing buffering. To enter developer mode, go to Settings → About Device → Build and quickly press 7 times on “Assembly”.
Once activated, the menu will have a section called "Developers" that will show up for audio-related settings, such as "Disable Absolute Volume" (useful if Bluetooth devices are not volume correct) or Bluetooth audio codec settings, which require caution as it can cause system instability.
Note that format support depends on the specific TV model. Budget Mi TV Stick models or initial series may not have DTS or Dolby Atmos hardware support, regardless of software settings, in which case the TV will either broadcast audio in stereo or not play the track at all.
Using third-party applications to improve sound
The Google Play Store on Xiaomi TVs offers a range of applications that can extend the functionality of the audio system. One of the most popular and effective solutions is the Equalizer FX app or its counterparts, which run on top of the system mixer and allow for more complex audio processing algorithms.
Equalizer apps often have more frequency bands than standard TV settings, and also include presets for different genres of music and effects, such as bass virtualizer or surround sound. Installing such software can revitalize the sound of older TV models, adding to them the missing dynamics.
Another useful category of applications are media players such as VLC for Android or MX Player. Built-in players of some online cinemas or file managers can incorrectly handle complex audio codecs. Third-party players have their own built-in decoders and audio settings, which often work more stable and better than the system.
⚠️ Warning: Installing too many background apps can lead to a shortage of RAM, causing interface delays and slowing down video. Use only the necessary audio utilities.
For advanced users, there is the option of installing system modules through Magisk (with root rights) that allow you to replace the system audio libraries. However, this method is complex, requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to loss of warranty, so it is recommended only for experienced enthusiasts.
Acoustic room optimization and accommodation
Even a perfectly tuned TV will sound bad if it's installed in adverse acoustic conditions. Sound is a physical wave that interacts with objects around you. Understanding simple acoustic principles will help improve sound perception without changing the electronic settings.
If the TV is in a niche or close to the wall, the low frequencies can accumulate and hum, creating a “barrel” effect. Conversely, in an empty room with bare walls and glass windows, the sound will be too loud and sharp due to multiple reflections. The optimal solution is to have upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains in the room that absorb unnecessary reflections.
The location of the speakers also plays a role. In most Xiaomi TVs, the speakers are down or backward. If the TV is on the stand, make sure the speakers are not closed and there is a gap between the TV body and the table surface. Using a soundbar in front of or under the TV can significantly improve the stereobase.
For those who can't change the interior, there are temporary solutions, such as placing decorative pillows on the sides of the TV or using thick curtains on the windows while watching a movie will help to "tame" the echo and make the sound more collected and clean.