How to improve the sound quality on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from software settings to hardware modifications

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but its sound capabilities are often underestimated, with users complaining of quiet speaker sound, distortions at maximum volume or poor playback through headphones, not only because of hardware limitations, but also because of the incorrect MIUI settings, which are optimized for the average user by default.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to improve sound on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, from basic uniformity settings and equalizer to advanced methods such as modifying system files or using external DACs. Particular attention will be paid to Bluetooth audio problems that often occur after MIUI updates, and hardware nuances (for example, why the left speaker is quieter than the right one).

1. Optimization of standard sound settings in MIUI

The first thing to do is check the basic audio settings that many users ignore. In the Redmi Note 8 Pro, they are hidden in multiple menus, and the combination of the two can significantly affect the final quality.

Open Settings → Sound and vibration and pay attention to the following parameters:

• 🔊 Media Volume: Default is limited to 70-80%. Remove the restriction in Additional settings → Safe volume (but be careful with long listening at maximum!).
• 🎵 equalizer MIUI: Turn it on in the sound settings. → Equalizer. For bass, pick preset Rock or Electronics, for vocals, Jazz".
• 🔄 Mono Sound: If one speaker is quieter, turn this mode on to Special Options → Sound. → Monoaudio. It'll redirect all the sound to both speakers equally.
• 📱 Adaptive sound: Turn it off in Sound Settings → Adaptive sound – it automatically lowers volume in noisy places, which often works incorrectly.

Also check the settings of specific applications. For example, YouTube or Spotify may have an equalizer that conflicts with the system. On YouTube, go to Settings → Quality → Volume Normalization and turn it off, this will remove the automatic volume reduction in some videos.

2. Bluetooth Sound Problems: Codec and Bitrate

The Redmi Note 8 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.0, but by default uses the SBC codec, the most basic and compressed. This leads to quality losses, especially at high frequencies. Fortunately, the smartphone has support for AAC and aptX (on some firmware), but they are not always activated automatically.

To force the best codec to be included:

1. Connect the Bluetooth headphones.
2. Open Settings → Connected devices → Settings gear next to your headphones.
3. Select Quality of Sound → Quality Priority (if there is such a point).
4. If there is no item, install the Developer Options app (via Settings → About Phone → MIUI version tap 7 times) and enable Bluetooth debugging.

To check your current codec, use the Bluetooth Codec Checker app (available on Google Play).If your headphones support aptX but your phone is persistently using SBC, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones (forget the device and pair again).
• 📱 Update the headphone firmware (if possible).
• 🔧 Enable Developer Mode and Select Bluetooth Settings → Codec → aptX (if available).

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If you lose the audio in your Bluetooth headphones after the MIUI update, reset them to the factory and reconnect them, which solves the problem 90 percent of the time.

3. Hardware Features: Why the Speakers Sound Different

Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with stereo speakers, but their design is asymmetrical:

• 🔈 Lower speaker (near the connector) USB-C) — full-blown speaker.
• 🔊 Top speaker (above the screen) – a high-frequency tweeter responsible only for the upper range.

This creates an uneven sound effect, especially at low frequencies, to balance the sound.

1. Put the phone upwards, so the sound will be directed at you, not at the table.
2. Use a case with speaker holes (many budget cases silence the bottom speaker).
3. Turn on Monoaudio mode (see section 1) if the volume difference is critical.

If one of the speakers doesn’t work at all, check:

• 🛠️ Grid pollution: Clean speakers with a soft brush (do not use sharp objects!).
• 🔧 Damage after falling: if the phone fell, the speaker contact could break off (disassembly required).
• 📱 Software glitch: Reset the sound settings to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Resetting application settings.

4.Sound Improvement Apps: What Really Works

There are hundreds of apps on Google Play that promise to make it 2x better, but most of them are empty, and we tested the top-end solutions and picked the ones that really impact quality:

For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, we recommend Wavelet, which does not require root rights and supports A/B testing (you can compare the sound before and after the effects).

1. Select your headphones from the list of supported devices.
2. Activate AutoEQ – this will automatically select the settings for your model.
3. Turn on Bass Tuner and set the +3 dB value to enhance bass.

Select headphone profile | Activate AutoEQ| Install Bass Tuner at +3 dB| Enable Limiter to protect speakers | Check the sound in A/B mode-->

Important: After installing Wavelet, turn off the MIUI system equalizer to avoid setting conflict.

5. Modification of system files (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work well, you can intervene in system files, which is only suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP installed.

The most effective modifications:

• 🔊 Mixers_paths.xml: It's responsible for routing the sound, and you can turn up the volume of the speakers by changing the parameters. RX1 Digital Volume and RX2 Digital Volume.
• 🎛️ Audio_effects.conf: It can also activate hidden effects such as Dolby or DTS.
• 📱 Build.prop: Add the string persist.audio.fluence.speaker=True improves sound at low frequencies.

Example of editing mixers_paths.xml:

<path name="speaker">


<ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" />




<ctl name="RX2 Digital Volume" value="84" />




</path>

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot). TWRP!

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Modifying system files gives the maximum volume increase (+20-30%), but requires technical skills and can void the warranty.

External devices: DACs and amplifiers

If you need professional sound quality (for example, to listen to music in FLAC format or connect high-omnipotent headphones), consider external devices:

• 🎧 USB-C DAC (e.g. iBasso) DC05): connects directly to the phone and bypasses the built-in audio track, improving detail.
• 🔊 Portable amplifier (e.g. FiiO) A3): It is necessary for headphones with impedance above 100 ohms.
• 📱 Bluetooth transmitter (e.g. Creative) BT-W5): It allows you to use the aptX codec HD Even if the phone doesn’t support it.

For Redmi Note 8 Pro, the best option is USB-C DAC, as it:

• It does not require separate power supply (works from the phone).
• Supports resolution up to 32-bit/384kHz.
• It is compatible with most music applications.

⚠️ Note: When using an external DAC, turn off the built-in equalizer MIUI — It will conflict with the sound processing in the device.

7. Alternative firmware: should you switch to caste?

MIUI stock firmware is known for its sound limitations, and alternative firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) offer:

• 🔊 Dolby Atmos support out of the box".
• 🎛️ More flexible equalizer with the ability to save profiles.
• 📱 No background volume limits.

There are, however, downsides:

• 🚫 Loss of official guarantee.
• 🔄 Possible bugs with camera or sensors (on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, most often breaks) IR-blaster).
• 📱 The need for manual installation through TWRP.

If you decide to switch, choose firmware marked "Official" on the XDA Developers forum. Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia) is suitable for:

• LineageOS 20 (based on Android 13)
• Pixel Experience Plus (with Live Caption)
• crDroid (optimized for performance)

FAQ: Frequent Sound Questions on Redmi Note 8 Pro