How to set up an equalizer on Xiaomi headphones: the full guide 2026

Xiaomi headphones are among the most popular gadgets among music lovers due to the ratio of price to quality, but even top models like Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi AirDots 3 often sound “flat” with factory settings. The reason is because of the universal equalizer profile, which doesn't take into account any genres of music or the anatomy of your ears. Fortunately, you can fix this in 5-10 minutes - quite competently adjust the equalizer (EQ).

In this article, we will analyze all the ways of fine tuning the sound: from built-in tools MIUI You'll learn how to enhance the bass for hip-hop, smooth out the high frequencies for classics, or achieve a "studio" sound for podcasts, and why some Xiaomi headphones ignore the system. EQ And what to do about it.

It doesn’t matter if you use wired Mi Basic for $1,000. ₽ Or Xiaomi's flagship FlipBuds Pro, the right equalizer settings will transform their sound. The rule is, don't chase the "perfect" presets. What one user likes (like a boombass for electronic music) can ruin the sound for another. Our task is to teach you to independently analyze the frequency characteristics of tracks and adjust the EQ under-privileged.

1. Built-in equalizer in MIUI: Where to find and how to use

The easiest way to customize the sound is to use a system equalizer built into the shell. MIUI. It is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (starting with MIUI There is a nuance, however, that this EQ It only works with wired headphones (including Type-C) and some Xiaomi Bluetooth headphones (e.g. Buds). 3T Pro or FlipBuds Pro. Other wireless devices will require third-party solutions (as discussed in the following sections).

To open the built-in equalizer:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
3. Slip on Sound Quality (or Sound Effects on Older Versions) MIUI).
4. Select the Equalizer.

Here you will see 5-10 sliders corresponding to frequencies from 60 Hz (low bass) to 16 kHz (high). By default, the Normal profile is active, but you can choose one of the presets (Bas, Rock, Jazz, etc.) or create your own. We advise you to start with factory presets, and then adjust them for yourself.

Important point: MIUI The equalizer applies to all applications except those that have their own EQ (If you listen to music through these services, the system equalizer will not work, you need to adjust the sound inside the application.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) have built-in EQ To avoid this, save your preset to your User Profile and do not change its name.

2.Why Xiaomi wireless headphones ignore the system EQ

Many users face a problem: connect Xiaomi Buds 4 or Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, configure equalizer in the game. MIUI, And the sound doesn't change. What's the matter? It's because of Bluetooth codecs and audio protocols.

Most Xiaomi wireless headphones use codec SBC or AAC (And these codecs compress the audio stream, and the system equalizer. MIUI It can't process an already encoded signal:

• 🎧 Use headphones with support LDAC (For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro – this codec transmits sound with minimal loss, and EQ will work.
• 📱 Install a third-party equalizer app that processes sound before it is transmitted over Bluetooth (more on this in the next section).

Another possible reason is the Mi Earphones app, some models (e.g. Xiaomi Air 2). SE) own EQ In this application that conflicts with the system. Try disabling it or uninstalling the application.

3.The best equalizer apps for Xiaomi (including Bluetooth headphones)

If built-in EQ It doesn't work or you don't like it, and third-party apps will come to the rescue.-3, guaranteed to work with Xiaomi headphones (including wireless models).

1. Wavelet (from developers) VLC)

• ✅ Free and no advertising.
• ✅ Supports automatic sound correction for specific models of headphones (there are profiles for Xiaomi Buds) 3/4 Pro).
• ✅ Works with Bluetooth (processes sound before transmission).
• ❌ A complex interface for beginners.

2. Poweramp Equalizer

• ✅ 10-band equalizer with presets for different genres.
• ✅ Support LDAC aptX.
• ✅ Built-in spectrum analyzer.
• ❌ Paid (around 300) ₽), But there's a trial period.

3. Equalizer FX

• ✅ Simple interface with frequency visualization.
• ✅ Free version with basic functionality.
• ✅ Works with Spotify, YouTube Music and other streaming services.
• ❌ The free version has a limited number of presets.

To make these apps work with Bluetooth headphones, you need to enable the option to Process audio via Equalizer (in Wavelet) or Force audio processing (in Poweramp), and you may need to turn off hardware acceleration in the developer settings (for this, see the section about Hi-Fi mode).

4. Hi-Fi mode in the MIUI: How to turn it on and why you need it

On Xiaomi smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (for example, Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60) Hi-Fi mode is available, and it turns off the hardware processing of sound, allowing the equalizer to work directly with the audio stream, which is especially useful for Bluetooth headphones, because it eliminates conflicts with codecs.

To activate the Hi-Fi mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to turn off the audio effects (Hi-Fi) and turn it on.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

After that, the system or third-party equalizer will work more efficiently.

• 🔊 Some effects (such as Dolby Atmos) will stop working.
• 🎵 The sound may become quieter – this is normal, as the hardware amplification is turned off.
• 📵 In some models (for example, POCO F4) Hi-Fi mode is in conflict with LDAC.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with MediaTek processors (such as the Redmi Note 12), Hi-Fi may not be available or not work properly. In this case, use applications like Wavelet with Bypass audio effects enabled.

5. Optimal equalizer settings for different genres of music

No universal settings EQ — It depends on the genre, the quality of the recording, even your headphones, but we've prepared some basic presets that you can use as a starting point, all values are for the 10-band equalizer (60 Hz to 16 kHz), where 0 dB is the neutral position.

These settings are just recommendations. To fine-tune:

1. Turn on a track you know well.
2. Change the sliders alternately while listening to the sound change.
3. Pay attention to dissonance (for example, too loud bass frequencies can “muffle” vocals).
4. Use test tracks with a wide frequency range (e.g., "Sweep Tone" on YouTube).

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If, after setting up, EQ The sound is worse (wheezing or distortion), lower the overall volume by 10 to 15 percent, which is due to the limitation of the dynamic range when the individual frequencies are amplified.

6 Problems and Solutions: Why the Equalizer Doesn't Work

Even after the right setup EQ We've collected the most common cases and the ways to solve them.

Problem 1: The equalizer resets after the reset

• 🔹 On smartphones Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ Solution: save the preset to your User Profile and don't change its name.
• 🔹 If you use Wavelet, turn on the option Apply at boot in the settings.

Problem. 2: EQ not working Spotify/YouTube Music

• 🔹 These apps have their own equalizer. Open the player settings and tune the sound there.
• 🔹 In Spotify, go to Settings. → Reproduction → equalizer.

Problem 3: The sound got worse after the setup EQ

• 🔹 You've probably over-amplified certain frequencies. Reset the settings and start with minimal changes (+/- 2 dB).
• 🔹 Check if the system is simultaneously on. EQ and EQ appendix-plehere (they may conflict).

Problem 4: Xiaomi Buds headphones do not respond to settings

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If neither of these methods worked, check if the equalizer blocks another app (like Dolby Atmos or Mi Sound Enhancer).

7.Extra chips: how to improve the sound of Xiaomi headphones

Equalizer isn't the only way to improve sound, but here are some more tricks that work with Xiaomi headphones:

1.Enable Dolby Atmos or Mi Sound Enhancer

• 🎯 Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration → Sound quality.
• 🎯 Activate Dolby Atmos and select Music or Movie profile.
• 🎯 Turn on Mi Sound Enhancer to enhance bass (but don't use it with it) EQ!).

2.Tune in. LDAC wireless

• 🔊 B Settings → Connected devices tap on the headphones.
• 🔊 Select the audio codec. → LDAC.
• 🔊 Set quality. → 990 kbit/s (maximum).

3. Use the right size seals

• 👂 A loose fit of headphones-in-ears (Xiaomi Buds) worsens the bass.
• 👂 The kit usually comes with 3 sizes of seals - choose the one that fits tightly to the ear.
• 👂 To check, play a track with deep bass (for example, "Seven Nation Army" - The White Stripes) and press the headphone slightly. If the bass is stronger, the seal does not fit.

4. Update the headphone firmware

• 🔄 Launch the Mi Earphones app (download from Google Play).
• 🔄 Connect the headphones and check for updates in the firmware section.
• 🔄 After the update, reset the settings. EQ and re-set up.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up an equalizer on Xiaomi