How to improve the sound quality in headphones on Xiaomi smartphones: from equalizer to firmware

The sound quality in headphones on Xiaomi often becomes a headache for users: bass wheezing, high frequencies cutting the ear, Bluetooth headphones sound like a can. The problem is not always with the headphones themselves - MIUI settings, inappropriate codec or smartphone hardware limitations are often to blame. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to improve the sound, from basic settings to deep changes to the system.

Many people mistakenly believe that cheap headphones can't produce sound, and in fact, even budget Redmi Buds or Mi Earphones can play in new ways if you set the equalizer right, choose the best Bluetooth codec, and disable the energy-saving MIUI chips that smother sound, and if you use wired headphones, this opens up a field for experimenting with amplifiers and firmware modifications.

But before you get into the settings, make sure the problem isn't with the headphones themselves.

1. Connect the headphones to another device (PC, other smartphone).
2. Listen to the same track at maximum volume.
3. If the sound remains bad, the problem is with the headphones, if it has improved, Xiaomi is to blame.

1. Set up the built-in MIUI equalizer

The standard equalizer in MIUI is hidden deep in the settings, but it has the potential to change the sound dramatically.

1. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality.
2. Slip on the Equalizer (on some firmware the item is called the Effects of Sound).
3. Choose a preset (Bas, Rock, Jazz) or set up the sliders manually.

For most genres of music, the following settings are optimal (values are indicated for sliders from left to right):

Important: after changing the settings of the equalizer, restart the player or smartphone - sometimes the changes do not apply immediately. If your version of MIUI does not have an equalizer, then the manufacturer has disabled it for your model (often on budget Redmi).

⚠️ Warning: Don't put all sliders to maximum, it will cause distortion of sound and overload of speakers. -3 db +4 dB.

Open any track in the player|Enable the equalizer in the settings|Compare the sound with the off equalizer|Check bass at low frequencies (60-230 Hz)|Check the purity of high frequencies (3.6-14 keto)-->

2. Optimizing Bluetooth codecs for wireless headphones

If you use Bluetooth headphones (such as Xiaomi Buds, Redmi AirDots or SoundPEATS), the sound quality depends on the codec you choose. By default, MIUI often chooses SBC, the most versatile, but far from the best in quality codec.

To change the codec:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open Settings → Connected devices → Settings gear next to the headphones.
3. Slip on the Sound Quality or Bluetooth Codec.
4. Choose AAC (for balance of quality and stability) or aptX/LDAC (if your headphones support).

Comparison of codecs for Xiaomi:

• 🔹 SBC — It works always, but the sound is flat".
• 🎵 AAC — Best choice for Apple Music and YouTube Music (supports high bit rates).
• 🎧 aptX – low latency, good for gaming and video (requires headphone support).
• 💎 LDAC — Maximum quality (up to 990 kbps), but can slow down on weak smartphones.

On Xiaomi smartphones with Snapdragon 8xx chipset (for example, Xiaomi 13, Black Shark 5), the LDAC codec works more stable than on budget models with Snapdragon 4xx/6xx.

⚠️ Note: If the sound starts to break after changing the codec, return to the AAC or SBC — Your smartphone or headphones can’t handle high bitrate.

3. Disconnecting energy-saving MIUI chips

MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes, including sound, which can slow down and distort sound, to correct this:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization
2. Find your music player (e.g. Spotify, VLC, Mi Music) and select Unlimited.
3. Return to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find a player, and turn off AutoRun and Background Activity (a paradox, but sometimes it helps).

Also check the MIUI Optimization settings (hidden function):

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization 0

This command disables some of the MIUI optimizations, which can improve sound stability. Attention: Once it is done, some firmware chips (e.g., smooth animations) may perform worse.

💡

If after turning off optimizations, the smartphone began to warm up stronger, turn it back on with the command adb shell settings put global. miui_optimization 1

4.Using third-party equalizers and players

The built-in MIUI equalizer is limited in functionality. To fine-tune the sound, install one of these applications:

• 🎛️ Wavelet - supports auto equalizer on the model of headphones, adjusts frequencies to your hearing.
• 🎧 Poweramp Equalizer – 10-band equalizer with presets for different genres.
• 🔊 ViPER4Android — Legendary audio engine with support for Dolby Surround and XHiFi (requires a root or Magisk).

To install ViPER4Android on Xiaomi without root:

1. Download Magisk and run it through TWRP.
2. Install the ViPER4Android FX module from the Magisk repository.
3. Open the app, select the Legacy Mode driver and set up a profile.

Warning: Not all Xiaomi models support ViPER4Android on the latest versions of MIUI. On the Redmi Note 10/11 and POCO X3/X4, it runs stable, and on Xiaomi 12/13, there may be microphone issues after installation.

5. Hardware constraint check: 3.5mm vs Type-C connector

On new Xiaomi smartphones (for example, Xiaomi 13T, Redmi K60) there is no classic 3.5 mm connector – sound output via Type-C or Bluetooth.

• 🔌 3.5 mm: Analog signal, subject to interference but does not require digital processing.
• 🔗 Type-C: Digital Sound (via Digital Sound) USB Audio), but the quality depends on the built-in DAC smartphone.
• 📶 Bluetooth: Codec compression, delays, but convenience.

If you have Type-C headphones, try connecting them via an external DAC (e.g. Xiaomi USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter with built-in amplifier), which is especially true for models with a weak built-in amplifier (e.g. Redmi 9/10).

To check the current bitrate (important for Type-C and Bluetooth):

1. Install USB Audio Player PRO.
2. Open the settings → Audio information.
3. Look at the current parameters: Bitrate, Bit Depth, Selectivity Frequency.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with MediaTek chipset (e.g. Redmi Note) 12, POCO M5) Bitrate via Type-C is often limited 48 keto/16 bit, even if the headphones support 96 keto/24 bit.

6. Update of firmware and core

Sometimes sound problems are solved by updating MIUI or kernel, for example, MIUI 14 fixed the audio distortion bug on the Xiaomi 12 Pro, and MIUI 13.0.4 added support for LDAC for the Redmi K50.

How to update correctly:

1. Check the current version: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. If an update is available, download it through Settings → System Update.
3. For manual firmware, download fastboot-rom from the official website and run through the Mi Flash Tool.

If the sound gets worse after the upgrade, roll back to the previous version or install a custom core (for example, FrancoKernel or Perseus for Snapdragon devices), which is risky, but gives you control over the audio drivers.

💡

Before you run your firmware, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup. The headphones may need to be paired again after you upgrade.

Hardware modifications: from amplifier to plug replacement

If the software methods didn’t help, the problem could be in the hardware:

• 🔧 Oxidation of the 3.5mm connector: Clean the contacts with alcohol or replace the connector (repair cost: 500–1500) ₽).
• 🔊 Weak built-in amplifier: Buy an external DAC (e.g. Xiaomi Hi-Res Audio Dongle for a slew of axles) ~2000 ₽).
• 📱 Problems with the motherboard: Xiaomi series Redmi Note 8/9 Audio controller often fails – chip replacement is required.

To diagnose hardware problems:

1. Connect your headphones and call another phone.
2. If the interlocutor hears noise or distortion, the problem is in the microphone or audio track of the smartphone.
3. If the distortion is only when listening to music - the amplifier or DAC is to blame.

Tip: Check your headphones on another device before repairing and try flashing your smartphone on stock-rom (clean firmware without modifications). Sometimes custom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS cause sound problems.

FAQ: Frequent Sound Questions on Xiaomi