Modern wireless headphones like the Xiaomi Air 2 SE are complex devices where software plays as much a role as hardware. Many users immediately after buying the sound seems flat or not loud enough. It is not a defect, but a feature of the default setting that can and should be adjusted. Proper calibration allows you to unlock the potential of speakers and make listening to music really comfortable.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to adjust the sound on Xiaomi Air 2 SE for different use cases. You will learn about the hidden capabilities of the equalizer, how to eliminate delays in games and how to increase volume if standard values are not enough.
Before you start complex manipulations, it is important to understand the basic principles of Bluetooth audio. The quality of data transfer depends not only on the headphones themselves, but also on the codec that your smartphone uses. Xiaomi Air 2 SE supports standard SBC and AAC codecs, which ensures good sound quality on most devices.
Basic setup via Mi Buds M8 and app
The first step to deep tuning the sound is to install specialized software. For the Xiaomi Air 2 SE, the main tool is the Mi Buds M8 app, which is often confused with Mi Earbuds Basic, but it provides access to advanced functionality. Without this application, you are limited to basic playback control.
Once you connect your headphones to your smartphone, open the app and find the audio settings section. There's a graphical equalizer available that allows you to change frequency performance. Standard presets like "Pop," "Rock" or "Jazz" may not be suitable for all tracks, so it's worth experimenting with manually adjusting sliders.
- 🎚️ Bass slider is responsible for the depth and power of bass, which is critical for electronic music.
- 🎚️ Mid slider (Mediocre Frequency) affects the legibility of the vocals and the sound of most instruments.
- 🎚️ Treble slider adds ringing and detail, but when excess causes sharpness.
- 🎚️ Surround mode creates the effect of presence, imitating the acoustics of a large hall.
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In the Mi Buds M8 app, you can configure touch control to quickly switch equalizers without removing the phone from your pocket.
It is important to note that changes to the equalizer apply instantly. However, if you use third-party players, the settings can be reset when you restart the application, in which case it is recommended to use the system player or check whether the music service you choose has its own audio settings, which can override the system.
☑️ Equalizer setting
Volume control and level synchronization
One of the common problems with using the Xiaomi Air 2 SE is the volume dissynchronization between the headphones and the phone. Sometimes even at the maximum volume of the smartphone, the sound in the headphones remains quiet, this is solved through the reset and repair procedure, as well as through hidden Android settings.
There's a parameter in the Android operating system called "Absolute Volume," which causes the system to interpret the volume levels of Bluetooth devices differently, and to access this feature, you need to activate the developer mode, which gives access to hidden Bluetooth protocols.
⚠️ Attention: Turning on the developer mode and changing the Bluetooth settings can temporarily disrupt the stability of the connection. If the sound is gone completely, just turn off this setting back.
To activate absolute volume, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and quickly press 7-10 times on the build number. Then to Advanced Settings → For developers, find the item "Disable Absolute Volume." Try to change its state and check the result. It is also worth checking the individual volume sliders in the Sound and Vibration menu, making sure that the media channel is not reduced.
Another aspect is channel balance. If one earbud has a quieter sound than the other, check the settings for special features in Android. There's often a left-right-channel balance slider that might have accidentally shifted, which is a common cause of imbalance that users mistaken for a speaker marriage.
Sound setting for games and video (Game Mode)
For gamers and movie lovers, sound delay is critical. The Xiaomi Air 2 SE features a game mode that minimizes latency, activates it with a triple touch on the touch area of one of the headphones, but requires the right signal source setting to work properly.
In apps like YouTube or Netflix, the delay is often compensated by software, but in games (PUBG, Call of Duty) it can be noticeable. To minimize the synchronization of video and audio, make sure that the Bluetooth settings in the Codec section select AAC if your smartphone supports it, as it often runs more stable than SBC on Xiaomi devices.
- 🎮 Activate the game mode with triple touch to reduce delay to a minimum.
- 🎮 Close background apps that consume traffic to avoid interruptions to Bluetooth streaming.
- 🎮 Keep your smartphone in your pocket or on your desk, without putting it far away in your bag.
Why is the sound behind in games?
Note that in game mode, the autonomy of Xiaomi Air 2 SE may slightly decrease, since the Bluetooth module operates in high activity mode. If you play calm strategies where the exact positioning of the sounds of steps is not required, it is better to turn off this mode to save battery power.
Elimination of interference and improvement of connection quality
Sound quality is directly dependent on the stability of the wireless connection. In a city where the air is full of Wi-Fi and other Bluetooth devices, artifacts, crackles or interruptions can occur. Interference is the main enemy of quality sound in wireless headphones.
To improve things, try changing the Wi-Fi frequency on the router. If you're using the 2.4GHz band, it can conflict with Bluetooth. Switching to 5GHz for Wi-Fi often frees up the air for headphones to work smoothly. It's also worth staying away from powerful sources of radiation, such as microwave ovens.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Crackling and wheezing | Low battery charge | Put the headphones in the case for 15 minutes |
| Interrupting sound | Wi-Fi interference (2.4GHz) | Switch router to 5 GHz or move away |
| Quiet sound | EU volume limit | Reset your headphone settings or use a third-party EQ |
| One earpiece is silent. | TWS synchronization error | Perform a complete reset (Reset) of headphones |
Another important thing is that the charging contacts are clean, and if the dynamic driver is not getting enough power because of the oxidized contacts, it may not work properly. Regularly wipe the contacts on the headphones and in the case with dry cloth, which is a simple but effective preventive measure.
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Bluetooth connection stability is more important than maximum codec quality. It is better to have a stable SBC than an interrupted aptX.
Fine tuning through third-party equalizers
If you don't have enough MIUI and Mi Buds M8 built-in tools, you can use third-party solutions, like Poweramp Equalizer or Flat Equalizer, which allow you to access a deeper setup of the Android sound path, and they work on top of the system sound, adjusting it before sending it to a Bluetooth device.
Using a third-party equalizer requires caution. Excessive amplification of certain frequencies can lead to distortion (clipping), which is not only unpleasant to hear, but theoretically can damage the dynamics of Xiaomi Air. 2 SE Long-term exposure: Start with small gain values, not exceeding +3-4 dB.
So, you should pay special attention to Pre-amp, and if you're lifting the equalizer sliders very hard, you'd better lower the pre-amplification level a little bit to make up for the overall volume and avoid digital distortion, and that's a professional approach to mastering sound on the fly.
- 🔊 Use root-rights-enabled apps to access the Android System Equalizer.
- 🔊 Avoid using two equalizers at the same time, this will cause conflict and make the sound worse.
- 🔊 Save your settings profiles to quickly switch between music and podcasts.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party equalizers can increase the power consumption of the smartphone processor, which will lead to a faster discharge of the phone battery.
Resetting and calibration of microphone
Sometimes software failures cause the audio settings to get stuck in an incorrect state, in which case the Xiaomi Air 2 SE resets completely to the factory settings, placing the headphones in the case, pinching the touch zones on both headphones and holding for about 20 seconds until the indicator flashes white.
Special attention should be paid to the microphone setting, as it depends on how you hear the interlocutors. In the Bluetooth settings menu of the phone, find the connected Xiaomi Air 2 SE and check whether the options are included incoming calls and outgoing calls. If these points are disabled, the sound will go through the speaker of the phone, not through the headphones.
To improve voice quality during calls, try not to close the microphone with your finger. On Xiaomi Air 2 SE, microphone holes are located on the lower ends of the "legs". If you often talk in windy weather, use windscreen or switch to noise cancellation mode, if it is available in your version of the firmware.