How to increase the volume in headphones on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S: from simple settings to hidden features

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S users often face the problem of insufficient volume in headphones — especially when listening to music in noisy places or using high-resistance models. The reasons can lie in both the software limitations of MIUI and the hardware features of the smartphone. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods for increasing volume, from basic settings to advanced tricks with engineering menus and modification of system files.

It's important to understand that not all methods are equally safe, for example, changing the settings in the engineering menu or using uncertified applications can cause damage to the speakers or loss of warranty, and we will explain the risks of each method in detail and give recommendations on how to minimize possible harm.

If you've tried to turn up the volume through standard settings and it didn't work, don't rush to buy new headphones. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved software-based, without any interference with the hardware, and let's start with the easiest and safest ways.

1. Check basic sound settings in MIUI

Before resorting to drastic measures, make sure all system settings are configured correctly.The Redmi Note 9S runs on MIUI, where some of the audio features can be hidden or disabled by default.

Open the Settings → Sound and vibration and check:

• 🔊 Multimedia volume – move the slider to the maximum (sometimes it is reset after connecting the headphones).
• 🎧 Amplify the sound in headphones – turn on the option if it is available (on some firmware hidden).
• 🔄 Adaptive sound – disable this feature as it automatically lowers volume depending on ambient noise.
• 🛠️ Equalizer – Choose a Bass or Rock preset, as they amplify low frequencies, which subjectively makes the sound louder.

If your MIUI version doesn't have "Enhanced Headphones," it means the manufacturer has blocked it for your region, and the engineering menu (Section 4) will help.

⚠️ Warning: If the volume goes down automatically after the headphones are connected, check them on another device).

2.Use of third-party players with equalizer

The standard MIUI Music app has limited audio settings. Third-party players such as Poweramp, VLC or Neutron Music Player allow you to fine-tune the equalizer and increase volume through software processing.

Recommended settings in Poweramp:

1. Open the settings → Audio → Equalizer.
2. Choose preset Loudness or manually lift sliders 3-6 dB in the 100-500 Hz range.
3. Turn on the option Replay Gain (in the section Audio → Amplify) – this automatically equalizes the volume of the tracks.
4. Activate Direct Volume Control if it is available for your model.

For the VLC:

• 🎛️ Go to Settings. → Audio. → Amplifier and set the value of 200% (maximum).
• 🔄 Turn on sound normalization to level the volume between tracks.

⚠️ Warning: Excessive volume increase through equalizer can lead to sound distortion (clipping), especially on cheap headphones. If you hear wheezing, reduce the amplification at high frequencies (above 10 kHz).

Install Loudness | Low frequency (100-500 Hz) at +6 dB|Enable Replay Gain|Activate Direct Volume Control (if available)|Check the sound for distortion-->

3.Sound amplification applications: risks and best options

There are dozens of apps on Google Play that promise to turn up the volume of the headphones, but most of them either don't work or damage the device, and we tested 15 apps and selected the 3 most effective and safest ones:

Volume Booster GOODEV is the most powerful solution, but use it carefully:

• 📱 Set the slider on 120-130% (above - risk of distortion).
• 🔕 Turn on the Safe Mode option to avoid damaging speakers.
• 🔄 Check your headphones regularly for overheating (if they become warm, turn down the volume).

Precise Volume is suitable for root-right users, which allows you to bypass the limitations of MIUI at the system level, but requires caution:

⚠️ Note: Apps like Super Volume Booster or Mega Bass Booster often contain malicious code or show false results. Check reviews and rankings on Google Play before installing.

4. Engineering menu: hidden sound settings

The Redmi Note 9S has a hidden engineering menu (Engineer Mode) where you can manually adjust the parameters of the sound chip, which gives the largest increase in volume, but requires accuracy.

Instructions for entry:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code ##36446337## (or #4636## → Hardware Testing → Audio).
3. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → Headset Mode.

In the Headset Mode menu, pay attention to the following parameters:

• 🔊 Max Vol - Maximum volume (set 150 instead of the standard 100).
• 🎛️ Type - choose Class AB Better battery power (but more battery consumption).
• 🔄 Impedance – If your headphones have resistance above 32 ohms, set High Impedance.

Critical: Do not set the Max Vol value above 160 – this can damage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G sound chip used in the Redmi Note 9S.

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Before you change the parameters in the engineering menu, write down the current values on paper. If the sound is lost or there is interference, return the original settings.

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Engineering menus are the most effective way to turn up the volume, but the wrong settings can cause hardware damage. Use them only if other methods have not worked.

5 Modification of system files (for advanced)

If you're willing to take risks, you can edit the system files that control volume, which requires root rights and backups.

Instructions:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
2. Go to /system/vendor/etc/.
3. Find the file. mixer_paths.xml (or mixer_paths_tasha.xml firmware).
4. Open the file in the text editor and find the lines: <path name="headphone"> <ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" /> <ctl name="RX2 Digital Volume" value="84" />
5. Replace value="84" with value="92" (maximum 96, but not recommended).
6. Save the file, reboot the phone.

After the changes, the volume will increase by 20-30%, but:

• 🚨 Risk of a breeze (turning the phone into a brick) when editing error.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to increased load on the sound chip.
• 🔊 On cheap headphones may appear background noise.

⚠️ Note: If after editing mixer_paths.xml The phone stopped turning on – try booting into Fastboot Mode (hold on Power) + Vol Down) and reflash the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

6. Hardware causes of low volume

If the software methods did not help, the problem may be:

• 🎧 Headphones, check them on another device. Models with impedance above 50 Ohms require an amplifier.
• 🔌 3.5mm connector - often oxidized or contaminated. Clean it with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🔊 Sound chip – if the sound wheezes or disappears in one headphone, it may be damaged by Qualcomm WCD9375 (audio codec in Redmi Note 9S).
• 🔋 Battery - with a discharge below 15% MIUI automatically reduces volume to save energy.

To diagnose hardware problems:

1. Connect your headphones and run the sound test through the engineering menu (#36446337# → Audio → Headset Test).
2. If the test shows an error, try connecting the headphones via Bluetooth. If the sound is loud through Bluetooth, the problem is the connector or audio track.
3. Check if the sound is silenced in the availability settings (Settings → Special. capabilities → Sound).

If the diagnostics show a malfunction of the connector or sound chip, contact the service center.

• 🔧 Replacement of the 3.5 mm connector: 800-1500 ₽.
• 🔊 Sound chip repair/replacement: 2500–4000 ₽.

7.Alternative solutions: Bluetooth and external amplifiers

If nothing has worked, consider alternative ways:

• 📶 Bluetooth headphones are modern models (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 or SoundPEATS) Air3>) They have their own amplifiers and often sound louder than wired ones.
• 🔊 Outside DAC/amplifier - FiiO type devices BTR3K or iBasso DC01 plugged in USB-C and give a clear sound with amplification to +12 dB.

For Redmi Note 9S suitable adapter Xiaomi USB-C to 3.5mm (article MDZ-22-AB), but note:

• ⚡ It doesn’t have its own amplifier, so the volume won’t go up.
• 🔋 It only works with headphones up to 32 ohms.

If you choose Bluetooth headphones, pay attention to:

• 🔋 Bluetooth Version - Redmi Note 9S supports Bluetooth 5.0, but for a stable connection it is better to choose headphones with aptX or AAC.
• 🎧 Sensitivity – Look for models with sensitivity above 100 dB/mV (e.g. Sony) WH-CH710N — 105 dB).

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Bluetooth headphones with support for aptX or LDAC codecs sound louder and cleaner than cheap SBC models, thanks to more efficient data transfer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about volume increase