How to improve the sound on the TV Xiaomi Mi TV: from basic settings to professional tuning

The sound on Xiaomi Mi TVs is often criticized, with users complaining of low volume, low frequencies or “empty” bass. However, 90% of the time, the problem is not hardware limitations, but the wrong settings or ignoring hidden system features. Even the budget models of the Mi TV 4A series or Mi TV P1 are able to produce a balanced sound when properly configured.

In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can improve your sound, from basic adjustments to the TV menu to advanced methods using external devices and software, and focus on the unique MIUI TV firmware chips that the manufacturer doesn't advertise, but that dramatically change how you feel about audio, and if you think you can't do without soundbar, try our recommendations first.

It’s important to understand that sound quality is not just about settings, but also about content. A low-bit series will sound worse than a movie in Dolby Digital Plus, even with the perfect TV configuration. So we’ll also show you how to determine if the bad sound is the fault of the Xiaomi Mi TV itself or the signal source.

1 Basic sound settings in MIUI TV: what can be changed without additional devices

Start by checking the basic audio options that are available in the standard menu. Many users do not even suspect that the Xiaomi Mi TV has a built-in equalizer, spatial audio settings and optimization modes for different content.

To open the sound menu:

1. Press the Settings button on the remote.
2. Go to the Sound section. → Sound settings.
3. Learn the available options (their set depends on the model and firmware version).

Pay attention to the following parameters:

• 🔊 Sound mode: Select Movie for surround sound, News for clear speech, or Music for low frequency amplification.
• 🎛️ Equator: manually adjust the frequencies (increase 100 Hz for bass, 10 kHz for high).
• 🔄 Autotuning: Auto Volume is a feature that aligns the volume between channels and sources.
• 🚫 Turn off unnecessary effects: Options like Dolby Surround can distort sound on weak speakers.

On the Mi TV P1 2022+ and Mi TV Q2, the hidden AI Sound Pro mode is available, which analyzes the acoustics of the room and automatically adjusts the sound. To activate it, hold the OK button on the remote in the audio menu for 5 seconds.

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If the sound is quieter after the changes, check if Night Mode is activated – it limits the maximum volume.

2. Sound optimization through hidden engineering menus

MIUI TV firmware contains hidden settings that allow you to fine-tune the audio system, which are not intended for ordinary users, but they can significantly improve the sound.

To get into the engineering menu:

1. Open the standard settings → about the TV.
2. Find the MIUI TV version and quickly click on it 7 times in a row (as when activating the developer mode on smartphones).
3. Enter the password: 123456 (for new models) or 654321 (for old ones).

In the engineering menu, pay attention to:

• 🔧 Audio Tuning: Here you can calibrate the frequency of the speakers, change the audio delay (Audio Delay) and disable the hardware volume limits.
• 📊 Speaker Test: Each speaker will be tested separately to identify the faulty element.
• 🔇 Mute Control: Turn off automatic muting when switching channels.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change the settings in the DAC Settings and HDMI Audio Format unless you understand their meanings. Incorrect settings can result in complete loss of sound.

For models with Dolby Audio (Mi TV Q1/Q2), the Dolby Volume Leveler option is available in the engineering menu, which activates the volume between different sources (for example, between Netflix and cable TV).

Install Audio Delay at 0ms (if there is no delay)

Turn off Auto Mute when switching HDMI

Check the left/right balance of the speaker (L/R Balance)

Do not touch the settings of HDMI CEC-->

3. firmware update: why it's critical for sound

Many of the audio problems on Xiaomi Mi TV are solved by updating the firmware. The manufacturer regularly releases patches that fix bugs with audio drivers, add support for new formats (DTS:X, Dolby Atmos) and optimize the work of the built-in DAC.

How to update firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, install it (requires a stable Internet connection).

For manual firmware installation:

• Download the file from the official Xiaomi website (select your model).
• Copy it onto a flash drive in FAT32 format.
• Insert the flash drive into the TV and select Update via USB.

⚠️ Warning: If the audio is gone after the update, reset (Settings → About TV → Data Reset) and return the audio system to the factory settings.

On the Mi TV A Pro 2023 models, after upgrading to MIUI TV 3.0, support for LDAC, a codec for wireless high-resolution audio transmission, is available. You can now connect headphones over Bluetooth without loss of quality.

4. External devices: when they can not do without

If the settings didn’t work out, consider connecting external audio devices. Even a budget soundbar or AV- receiver will significantly improve the sound compared to built-in speakers.

Connection options:

To connect via HDMI ARC:

1. Connect the TV and soundbar with an HDMI High Speed cable (the port must be marked with ARC or eARC).
2. From the TV menu, select Settings → Sound → HDMI → ARC output.
3. In the soundbar settings, activate HDMI Control or CEC.

For models Mi TV Q1/Q2 with support for Dolby Atmos, we recommend using a AV- receiver with object-oriented audio decoding, in which case the TV will transmit uncompressed stream, and the receiver will process it with the acoustics of the room.

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HDMI ARC connectivity allows you to control the soundbar volume from the TV remote and automatically switch audio sources.

5. Software Solutions: Applications and Codecs

If you watch content through apps (Netflix, YouTube, Kodi), the sound quality depends on the codecs used. Many streaming services default to deliver audio in compressed format (AAC), although they also support more advanced ones (Dolby Digital+, E-AC-3).

How to turn on the best sound in popular apps:

• 🎬 Netflix: In your user profile, select High in the sound quality settings (Premium tariff required).
• 📺 YouTube: In the playback settings (cog in player) select the maximum resolution and audio format.
• 🖥️ Kodi: In the audio settings (Settings → Player → Audio), set Allow passthrough for HDMI.

For Mi TV models on Android TV 11+, Equalizer for Android TV (can be installed via Google Play) is available.

• Create custom equalizer presets.
• Use the Bass Boost and Virtualizer effects.
• Set up sound delay to synchronize with video.

If the sound in the apps gets distorted or interrupted, try:

1. Clear the app cache (Settings → Apps → [Title] → Clear the cache).
2. Turn off energy saving for media players.
3. Reinstall the problem app.

6. Acoustics of the room: why it is more important than settings

Even a perfectly tuned TV will sound bad in the wrong room, and the reflection of sound from the walls, furniture and the location of the speakers affect the final sound as much as the settings of the equalizer.

Simple rules for improving acoustics:

• 🪑 The location of the TV: don't corner it, it's amplifying the low frequencies and creating a hum. Optimally, on a wall or a low stand.
• 🖼️ Sound absorption: Add carpet, curtains, or special acoustic panels to reduce echoes.
• 🔊 Speaker direction: If they are built into the bottom of the TV, do not cover them with decorative panels.
• 🚪 Insulation: Close windows and doors when viewing - drafts distort sound waves.

For the room acoustics test:

1. Turn on a track with uniform noise (e.g., pink noise on YouTube).
2. Walk around the room – if the sound gets quieter or louder in some places, there are problems with reflection.
3. Try to move the TV or add soft objects (pillows, blankets) to the "dead zones".

If you have a Mi TV with a separate subwoofer (such as the Mi TV Lux Transparent Edition), place it 30 to 50 cm from the wall for better bass. Avoid mounting in closets - this leads to resonance and rattling.

7. Diagnostics of malfunctions: when the sound is not improved by settings

If none of the methods helped, perhaps the problem is hardware.Typical hardware issues on Xiaomi Mi TV include:

• 🔈 Faulty speakers: cracking, wheezing, or no sound from one channel.
• 🔌 Audio output problems: audio is only available via HDMI or Bluetooth, not through built-in speakers.
• 🔋 Power drop: The sound becomes quieter as the volume increases (a symptom of a faulty amplifier).

How to check the hardware:

1. Connect an external device (e.g., a 3.5mm speaker or Bluetooth speaker) to the TV. If there's sound, the speaker is a problem.
2. Try to play audio from different sources (HDMI, USB, embedded applications), if the sound is only available through HDMI, the audio processor is defective.
3. Run the speaker test in the Speaker Test (Engineering Menu).

⚠️ Warning: If the TV is warranty, don't disassemble it yourself, it will void warranty obligations. Contact Xiaomi Service Center with a check and a description of the problem.

The cost of repairing speakers in Xiaomi Mi TV:

• Replacement of one speaker: ~1 500–3,000 ₽ (depending on model).
• Audio card repair: ~3,500–6000 ₽.
• Amplifier replacement: ~4,000–7,000 ₽.

For models over 5 years old, repairs may not be cost-effective, in which case it is cheaper to buy an external soundbar or connect the TV to the existing acoustic system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the sound on Xiaomi Mi TV