Why the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s standard sound is disappointing – and how to fix it
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is stereo and Dolby Atmos-enabled, but by default, the sound often feels flat or quiet. The manufacturer sparingly adjusts the audio profile out of the box to reduce power consumption and avoid distortion at maximum volume. But in the depths of MIUI, there are hidden tools that will turn your smartphone into a mini-sonic station - provided you know where to look for them.
The problem is that most users don't even know there's a hardware equalizer, Dolby Atmos headphone modes, or the Mi Sound Enhancer feature, which doesn't just "improve" sound -- they change the character of the sound dramatically, by adding volume to the bass, clarifying high frequencies, and even mimicking the acoustics of the concert hall, but to use them, you'll have to dig deeper into the settings than the standard menu offers.
In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways to optimize sound on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, including hidden engineering menus, third-party apps (which really work), and hardware chips that Xiaomi prefers to keep quiet about. You’ll learn how to make speakers play louder without distortion, why Bluetooth headphones sound worse than wired ones — and how to fix them, and which Dolby Atmos settings to choose for movies, music, and games.
Method 1: Enabling Dolby Atmos is a basic setup that everyone misses
Dolby Atmos is built into the Redmi Note 8 Pro at the firmware level, but by default it is disabled or works in the most "harmless" mode.
- Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
- Slip on the item Sound Quality and Effects (in some versions of MIUI it is called Dolby Atmos).
- Turn on the switch at the top of the screen.
- Select a profile: 🎵 Music – emphasizes bass and mid-frequency, ideal for Spotify or local tracks. 🎬 Movie – expands the sound scene, adds volume to the dialogue (good for Netflix). 🎮 Game – will amplify directional sounds (steps, shots), but can distort voice chat. 🔊 Voice – Optimizes for podcasts and audiobooks by removing background noises.
⚠️ Warning: If the sound is quieter after Dolby Atmos is turned on, check if Safe Volume is activated in the same settings.
To fine-tune the gear icon, tap it in the upper right corner of the Dolby Atmos screen, and you can manually adjust:
- 🔄 Balance between speakers (helpful if one sounds quieter).
- 📊 Equalizer with pre-presets (Rock, Pop, Classics).
- 🎛️ Virtual volume -- simulation. 3D-sound (works only with headphones).
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If your MIUI version does not have Dolby Atmos, upgrade to the latest stable version. On some custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), the feature may be called "Audio Effects" or "Mi Sound Enhancer."
Method 2: Hidden Engineering Menu – How to Unlock the Real Power of the Speakers
The Redmi Note 8 Pro has a hidden engineering menu where you can turn off software volume limits and activate hardware audio enhancements. This method requires caution: incorrect settings can damage speakers.
To get on the menu:
- Open the Phone app.
- Enter the combination: ##36446337##
- Choose Hardware Testing → Audio.
In this menu, tests are available for:
- 🔊 Dynamics – check the left / right channel.
- 🎧 Headphones - test 3.5 mm connector.
- 📱 Microphone – recording and reproduction of voice.
- 🔄 Loopback – diagnostics of audio loops.
To optimize the sound, we are interested in two parameters:
- Speaker Gain regulates the signal amplification on the speakers. Increasing the value will make the sound louder, but can add wheezing at maximum volume.
- Headphone Gain is a similar setting for headphones (relevant for models with high impedance).
What happens when you overstate Speaker Gain?
⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu are not saved after the reboot. To make them permanent, you will need root access or custom core installation (for example, Perseus Kernel for the Redmi Note 8 Pro).
Method 3: Equalizer and Mi Sound Enhancer - fine tuning for your headphones
MIUI has a system equalizer built in, but it's hidden deep in the settings to find it.
- Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Sound Quality and Effects.
- Slip on the Equalizer (if there is no item, first turn on Dolby Atmos).
- Choose a pre-preset or create your own by moving the sliders for frequencies: 🔹 60Hz - ultra-low bass (for electronic music). 🔹 230 Hz – Lower middle (voice, bass guitar). 🔹 910 Hz – medium frequencies (speech, lead guitar). 🔹 3.6 kHz is the upper middle (presence, "air"). 🔹 14 kHz - ultra-high (hisping, shine).
For headphones, activate Mi Sound Enhancer in the same menu.
- 🎧 Improves detail on cheap headphones (e.g. Xiaomi Basic).
- 🔊 Compensate for the shortcomings of Bluetooth codecs (SBC, AAC).
- ⚡ Reduces the latency of sound in games (useful for the PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty).
⚠️ Note: Mi Sound Enhancer may conflict with some audio applications (e.g. Poweramp or other audio applications). ViPER4Android). If the sound starts to break, turn it off.
Raise 60Hz to +3dB, 230Hz to +2dB|Hip-hop, EDM
Raise 910 Hz by +2 dB, 3.6 kHz by +1 dB|Rock, metal
Raise 14 kHz by +2 dB, lower 60 Hz by -1 dB|Classic, jazz
Leave all sliders on 0 dB| Speech, podcasts-->
Method 4: Optimizing Sound for Bluetooth Headphones – Why SBC Is Ruining Everything
The Redmi Note 8 Pro supports Bluetooth codecs SBC, AAC, aptX and LDAC, but by default uses SBC, the lowest quality of them.
- 🔇 Loss of high frequencies (sound becomes deaf").
- 🎵 Artifacts at high volume (cracking, hissing).
- ⏱️ Sound delay up to 200 ms (critical for gaming).
To force aptX or LDAC to be enabled:
- Activate Developer Mode (7 taps by Build Number in Settings → About Phone).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the items: Bluetooth Codec → choose aptX HD or LDAC. Bluetooth audio quality → set 990 kbit/s (for LDAC). Bluetooth Bit depth → 24 bits.
Reconnect the headphones.
⚠️ Attention: LDAC The Redmi Note 8 Pro runs unstable with some headphone models (e.g. Sony). WH-1000XM3). If the sound starts to interrupt, switch to aptX.
| Codec | Bitreit | Delay. | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBC | 328 kbps | 150-200 ms. | Voice calls, podcasts |
| AAC | 256–512 kbit/s | 100-150 ms. | Music (Apple Music, YouTube) |
| aptX | 352 kbps | 40-80 ms. | Games, movies |
| LDAC | 990 kbps | 50-100 ms. | Hi-Res audio (TIDAL, FLAC) |
Method 5: Third-party applications – when standard tools are not enough
If the built-in MIUI settings don't suit you, consider third-party solutions.
- ViPER4Android (Magisk demands): 🎛️ 10-strip equalizer with presets for different genres. 🔊 Convolver Effects (imitation of hall acoustics). 🎧 Support USB DAC and Hi-Res audio. How to install ViPER4Android on the Redmi Note 8 Pro? 1. Get root access through Magisk. 2. Download. APK official repository (v4a.apk). 3. Install the driver through Magisk Module "ViPER4Android FX". 4. Reboot your phone and set up an in-app profile.
- Poweramp (Free version with limitations): 🎵 Built-in equalizer with support FLAC and WAV. 🔄 Adjusting the pace and tone without loss of quality. 🎧 Optimization for Xiaomi headphones (including Mi) ANC).
- Wavelet (from the creators of Vance): 🎧 Automatic calibration for your headphones (base of 300)+ model). 🔊 Dolby Atmos Emulation for Hardware-Free Devices. 📊 Frequency characterization visualizer.
⚠️ Note: Apps like Equalizer FX Or the Bass Booster of Google Play, which often has ads and no real effect, they just filter the sound, making it worse.
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ViPER4Android is the only app that really changes sound at the hardware level, but requires root access. Without it, all the other "improvers" run on top of the standard audio driver, losing quality.
Method 6: Hardware Tricks – How to Physically Improve the Sound of the Speakers
Software optimization won’t solve the problem if the Redmi Note 8 Pro speakers are physically contaminated or damaged.
- 🧹 Speaker cleaning: Use a soft brush (like makeup) or a compressed air balloon. Do not use alcohol or wet wipes - this will damage the membrane. If the sound is quieter after falling, check the integrity of the speaker grid (it may have deformed).
- 🔧 Seal check: Over time, the rubber gaskets around the speakers lose elasticity, leading to "rattling" at high volume. Solution: disassemble the phone (or call the service) and replace the seals with new ones.
- 🔊 Positioning: Redmi Note 8 Pro speakers are on the bottom and top edges. If you close them with your finger, the sound will be quieter by 30-40%. When listening to music, keep the phone in a horizontal position (as in landscape mode) - this improves the stereo effect.
⚠️ Warning: If the sound hasn't improved after cleaning the speakers, check them for short circuits:
- Connect the headphones and check if the sound is playing through them.
- If there is sound in the headphones, but there is no sound in the speakers, the problem is in the hardware (the amplifier has burned out or the train has gone).