How to improve the sound in headphones on Android Xiaomi: from equalizer to hidden settings MIUI

The sound quality in the headphones on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often disappoints users - even with expensive models like Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or wired Mi Hybrid. The problem is not always in the headphones themselves: often the fault is standard MIUI settings, inappropriate Bluetooth codecs or Android limitations. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to improve the sound - from basic equalizer settings to hidden developer parameters and third-party applications.

Xiaomi’s smartphones feature its own MIUI shell, which redefines standard Android audio profiles. For example, even if your headphones support an aptX HD codec or LDAC, the system can force a low-bitrate SBC. We’ll show you how to fix this without root rights. And for owners of low-end models like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5, we’ll show you how to compensate for a weak built-in DAC with software methods.

Important: all instructions are current for MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14. If you have an older firmware version, some menu items may differ. To check the version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

1. Set up the built-in MIUI equalizer

The first and easiest way to improve sound is to use the built-in 10-band equalizer in MIUI. It is available for all types of headphones, but works differently depending on the smartphone model. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro has Dolby Atmos support, and the Redmi 10C has only basic presets.

To open the equaliser:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality.
2. Select the connected headphones in the list of devices.
3. Activate the Equalizer switch and select the preset (Bases, Rock, Jazz, etc.) or adjust the sliders manually.

For better results:

• 🎵 For bass: lift sliders 60Hz and 100Hz on +3…+5 dB, leave the rest at zero.
• 🎶 For vocals: increase 1 kHz – 4 kHz per +2 dB and slightly reduce low frequencies.
• 🎧 For TWS-Headphones: activate the option to Improve the sound for headphones (if there is in your model).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO M5) The equalizer is reset after the reset.To avoid this, save your preset as a user profile.

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If your MIUI version doesn’t have an equalizer, try connecting the headphones via a Type-C → 3.5mm adapter. Often this will unlock hidden audio settings.

2. Choosing the optimal Bluetooth codec

If you use wireless headphones, the sound quality depends on the Bluetooth codec you choose. By default, Xiaomi often sets SBC, the most versatile but the worst quality codec, here's how to change it to a more advanced one:

Instructions for Android 13/14:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to the main settings menu, open Additional → Developer options.
3. Find the Network Settings → Bluetooth Codec and select one of the options:

Important: Not all codecs are supported by your headphones. For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 It works with aptX Adaptive and Redmi Buds. 3 Pro - only with AAC/SBC. To find out supported codecs, check the specifications of your model on the manufacturer’s website.

⚠️ Attention: When choosing LDAC You might see a crackling or a stuttering sound, and then you go back to aptX or AAC.

3. Use of third-party equalizers

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

• 🎛️ Wavelet - Supports LDAC, aptX and has a built-in auto equalizer for 2000+ headphone.
• 🎧 Poweramp Equalizer – 16-band equalizer with presets for different genres.
• 🔊 ViPER4Android — The most powerful tool, but requires a Magisk (root rights) for full functionality.

Example of Wavelet setup:

1. Install the app and give access to the Sound Settings.
2. Select your headphones from the database (or create a new profile).
3. Activate AutoEQ for automatic frequency correction.
4. In the Bluetooth section, select the optimal codec (e.g. LDAC 909 kbit/s).

Wavelet can conflict with the built-in MIUI equalizer. Before using, turn off the system equalizer in the sound settings.

Make a data backup

Install Magisk (for root)

Download the latest version of ViPER from the official repository

Disable MIUI Optimizations in Magisk

Reboot the phone-->

4. Sound optimization through developer parameters

MIUI has hidden settings that affect audio processing, such as turning off hardware acceleration of audio, which sometimes degrades quality, or changing the audio buffer to reduce latency.

Key parameters:

• 🔇 Turn off absolute volume – eliminates the problem of “quiet sound” in Bluetooth headphones.
• 🎚️ Audio buffer (MS) – Reduce to 100-150 ms to reduce lag (useful for gaming).
• 🔊 Bluetooth audio format – select Quality (LDAC/aptX) balanced.

Path to settings:

Settings → Additional → Developer Parameters → Network settings

⚠️ Warning: Changing the audio buffer below 100 ms can cause cracking in the headphones.

5. Checking hardware limitations

Sometimes the bad sound is not due to the settings, but to the hardware limitations of the smartphone.

• 🔌 3.5mm connector: On models without audio output (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) sound through the Type-C adapter → 3.5 mm can be worse due to the weak built-in DAC. The solution is to use an external DAC (e.g. iBasso). DC05).
• 📶 Bluetooth interference: If the sound is interrupted, check for interference from Wi-Fi (switch the router to a 5GHz channel).
• 🔋 Battery savings: In Ultra-saving mode MIUI automatically reduces the quality of the Bluetooth codec to SBC.

To diagnose hardware problems:

1. Connect your headphones to another device (like a laptop), and if the sound is better, the problem is in your smartphone.
2. Check the Type-C/3.5mm connector for contamination (use a flashlight and a magnifying glass).
3. Update the headphone firmware (for TWS-Models of the Xiaomi Buds type 3T Pro).

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If the sound is bad after all the settings, the problem may be the faulty audio chip on the smartphone, in which case only the service center will help.

6. Alternative music players

The standard Mi Music app uses compressed playback algorithms that spoil the sound. Alternative players offer:

• 🎵 Bit-perfect playback (without transcoding).
• 🎛️ Built-in equalizers with support VST-plug-ins.
• 📀 Support for formats FLAC, DSD, MQA.

Top.-3 Xiaomi player:

For maximum quality:

1. Install USB Audio Player PRO.
2. Select Bit-perfect output and Exclusive mode.
3. Connect the headphones via an external DAC (for example, DragonFly Red).

7. Update of firmware and drivers

Manufacturers regularly release updates that fix sound bugs. MIUI 15 for Xiaomi 14 added support LE Audio and LC3, which improved the sound in TWS-headphones on 20%.

How to update:

• 📱 Smartphone firmware: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🎧 Headphone firmware: For Xiaomi Buds, use the Mi Earphones app (available from the App Gallery or APKCombo).
• 🔊 Bluetooth Drivers: Remove Bluetooth Cache in Settings → Annexes → Systemic → Bluetooth.

⚠️ Warning: After updating the firmware of the headphones, reset them to the factory settings. Otherwise, you may have connection problems.

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If the sound has become worse after the update, roll back the headphone firmware through the Mi Earphones app (Recovery section).

FAQ: Frequent questions about improving sound