How to increase volume on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

Xiaomi’s Redmi series has long proven to be reliable, with excellent value for money, but users often face a lack of maximum volume in noisy places. The Redmi 5 Plus, released in late 2017, features a decent multimedia speaker, but over time or due to Android software limitations, the sound may seem quiet, especially when watching videos on public transport or talking on speakerphone outside in windy weather.

There are many reasons why the sound has become quieter, from the banal contamination of the speaker grid with earwax and dust to software failures in audio drivers. Sometimes it is due to regional restrictions ofloudness war, which are implemented by manufacturers to protect users' hearing in certain countries. Fortunately, the MIUI operating system on which the shell of the smartphone is based provides a sufficiently deep ability to adjust the audio stream, allowing you to squeeze out the device maximum without loss of quality.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods of amplifying sound, from simple physical actions to advanced settings through the engineering menu. You will learn how to adjust the equalizer correctly, clean the acoustic system and use third-party software to achieve the desired volume level. It is important to approach the issue in a comprehensive manner, since often the problem is solved by a combination of two or three simple steps, rather than one magic switch.

Basic setup of multimedia and calls

The first thing to check before implementing complex changes is the standard settings for sound profiles in the system. Android splits the volume into several independent channels: media, call, alarm clock and notifications. Often users accidentally turn down the volume in the application they are using, thinking they have turned down the overall sound. To properly adjust, you need to click on any of the volume buttons on the side of the case, and then press the gear or tripod that appears on the screen.

In the menu that opens, make sure that the Multimedia and Call sliders are twisted to the right., some versions of MIUI firmware include Adaptive Volume, which can automatically lower the sound level depending on the ambient noise or position of the phone.

Also worth paying attention to is the sound profile. In the Sound and Vibration settings, select No Sound or Vibration mode, and then return to Normal or Loud mode, which reboots the audio driver and resets temporary program errors that could have led to levels being lowered. If you don't feel good after these manipulations, move on to a more subtle setup.

⚠️ Warning: Do not set the maximum volume for a long time when using headphones, this can lead to irreversible damage to hearing.

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Dividing volume into channels (media, bell, alarm) is a key feature of Android, requiring each slider to be checked separately.

Use of the built-in MIUI equalizer

Xiaomi’s built-in audio processor not only allows you to change the timbre, but also significantly influence the perceived volume. To access these settings, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Sound Effects. Here you will find preset profiles like Pop, Rock or Jazz, but the most interesting is manual tuning. The standard profile “Ordinary” often has a flat amplitude-frequency characteristic, which does not always give the maximum return on the speaker.

Select Manual or User Mode, and you'll see a graph with frequency sliders. To increase the volume and density of sound, it's recommended to slightly raise the low frequencies (60-250 Hz) and high frequencies (4k-16 K Hz), creating what's called a "smile." However, to increase the volume of a speaker or general audibility, the most important thing is the average frequencies (500 Hz - 2k Hz), where the main spectrum of human speech lies.

Remember to activate the audio virtualizer if this option is available in your version of MIUI. This algorithm expands the stereo and makes the sound more voluminous, which is subjectively perceived as louder and more intense. Experiment with the positions of the sliders, listening to tracks of different genre orientations to find a balance between volume and absence of wheezing.

• 🎚️ Lift mid-frequency sliders for better speech audibility in speakers.
• 🔊 Activate the “Sound Improvement” function to compensate for the low power speaker.
• 🎧 Use the "Bas" profile only for headphones, as on the speaker it will cause wheezing.

⚠️ Warning: Excessive lifting of all equalizer sliders up will lead to digital distortion and wheezing, spoiling the speaker.

Cleaning the speakers from pollution

One of the most common physical causes of silent sound is the banal pollution of the acoustic system. The Redmi 5 Plus speaker grid has fine perforations that over time get clogged with earwax, cosmetics, dust and pile from your pockets. Even the thinnest layer of fat can reduce the permeability of sound by 30-40%, which is especially noticeable at high frequencies. Visual inspection often fails, since dirt can be inside the channels.

To clean, use a soft toothbrush with dry bristles. Carefully, without heavy pressure, walk along the speaker grid in circular motions. This will help to dislodge dry dust. To remove more persistent contaminants, you can use a special cleaning gel adhesive or isopropyl alcohol applied to a cotton swab (importantly, the stick must be almost dry so that the liquid does not get inside the case).

There's also a software-based cleaning method that's often recommended in service centers. Play Market has a lot of applications that generate ultrasound (Frequency Sound Generator), run an application like this, turn on the maximum volume, and put the phone down on a hard surface for 1-2 minutes. Vibration of the membrane at low frequencies helps push out stuck dust particles.

Regular preventive cleaning every 2-3 months will allow you to maintain the original sound quality throughout the life of the device. If after cleaning the sound remained quiet and deaf, perhaps the problem lies in the hardware malfunction of the module.

Configure through the engineering menu

The most effective way to increase volume on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is a change in the gain settings in the engineering menu. This hidden section is for development engineers to directly control (gain) audio channels. To enter the menu, open the Phone app and type in the code ##3646633##. If the code doesn’t work, you may need to install a special application.-launcher for the engineering menu from the app store.

After you log in, go to the Hardware Testing tab, then select Audio and Audio Debugging. At the top of the screen you will see the Type drop-down. Here you will choose Media to adjust the volume of video and music, or Speech for the volume of the conversational speaker. Next, in the Level list, select levels from 0 to 6 (or higher, depending on the version of the chip). Level 0 corresponds to the minimum volume, and the last one is the maximum.

At the bottom of the screen is the Max Vol (or Value) setting, which affects the final volume. Standard values are usually in the range of 130-140. You can carefully raise them to 150-160. Be very careful: setting too high values (above 180-200) can lead to overload and combustion of the speaker or severe distortion.

Once you change your values, be sure to press the Set button to save the settings. The changes take effect instantly, no reboot is required. Test the sound after each step to find the optimal balance.

⚠️ Note: Do not change the meanings in areas you are not sure about, especially in the “Speech” category, as this can cause the person you are talking to to to stop hearing you.

Application of third-party sound amplifiers

If regular funds are not enough, Google Play Market booster apps come to the rescue, creating an additional layer of audio processing, amplifying the signal by software before sending it to the DAC. One of the most popular and effective solutions is the Volume Booster GOODEV application. It is characterized by a minimalist interface and the presence of a single gain slider.

The way these applications work is simple: they increase the amplitude of the digital signal, but there's a downside to this method, which is digital distortion. 20-30% The sound can become dirty, wheezing and whistling, especially at bass frequencies, so it is recommended not to twist the slider to the maximum, but to find the middle ground, usually it is a good idea to do this. 10-15%.

Another powerful tool is Precise Volume or Equalizer FX. They allow you to not only amplify the sound, but also adjust pre-amp. This is a more competent approach, because it allows you to compensate for quiet tracks without excessive general level bullying. There are also applications that allow you to unlock regional volume limits, which are often found in Xiaomi’s global firmware for the EU market.

• 📈 Use boosters only when needed, as they increase battery consumption.
• 🔉 Beware of apps with aggressive ads that promise to increase sound by 200%».
• ⚙️ Set up auto-start the amplifier along with the media player for convenience.

Hardware limitations and wear

And remember, the Redmi 5 Plus is a device that was released a few years ago, and its acoustic system has physical limits. The speaker is a mechanical device that is subject to wear. Over time, the flexibility of the membrane suspension decreases, the magnet weakens, which leads to a natural decrease in volume and wheezing at maximum. No software setting can fully compensate for the physical degradation of the component.

In addition, the design of the case plays an important role. Unlike modern flagships with stereo speakers, it uses a single mono speaker, whose output is often partially blocked by the elements of the design or the user's finger when horizontally gripped. Make sure that you do not block the speaker hole (located on the lower end on the right) while watching videos or games.

If the speaker starts wheezing even at medium volume, the coil or membrane is likely to be damaged, in which case the only solution is to replace the module in the service center, and attempts to “design” the wheezing speaker with ultrasound can only accelerate its final failure.

Table of comparison of reinforcement methods

To make it easier to solve a problem, we have systematized the methods in a table that will help you quickly assess the risks and effectiveness of each approach.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)