Why the sound in Xiaomi headphones became like in the “bank” and how to fix it?

You've turned on your favorite track or podcast, but instead of pure sound, you hear a deaf, muffled drumbeat, as if someone had covered the Xiaomi headphone speakers with a glass jar? The problem is familiar to many owners of wireless and wired models - from budget Redmi AirDots to flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. This effect not only spoils the listening experience, but also signals possible malfunctions or incorrect settings.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible causes of bank sound, from the commonplace clogging of speaker grilles to software failures in the firmware of a Bluetooth smartphone module. You'll learn how to diagnose a problem in 5 minutes, which settings to check first, and when to carry headphones to the service. And for the most difficult cases, we've prepared step-by-step instructions with photos and videos to help return crystal sound without contacting the masters.

What does “sound like a bank” mean and how to recognize it

The term “can sound” (or “bank effect”) describes a specific audio distortion in which:

• 🔊 Low frequencies become overly loud and "bullying," as if basses pass through a filter.
• 🎵 The medium and high frequencies are muted, voices and instruments sound “from under the water».
• 🎧 The overall sound loses detail, there is a feeling that the headphones “laid down».

This effect is especially noticeable on tracks with rich bass (electronics, hip-hop) or when listening to podcasts - the voices of the announcers seem vague, as if they were recorded in a small room without soundproofing.

If your symptoms match the first two lines of the table, welcome to the headphone club with the bank effect, and then we'll look at why.

Top.-5 The reasons for the “bank” sound in headphones Xiaomi

In our experience, 90 percent of the time, the problem is one of five things, and we'll start with the simplest and most obvious ones.

1. Dust, earwax, or even small debris (like pile from clothes) can clog up the sound channels, causing low frequencies to lock inside the earbud, creating a resonator effect like a jar. Especially relevant for models with an open acoustic design (for example, Xiaomi Buds). 3T Pro).
2. If the earbuds are mismatched or worn, the leakiness is impaired, the sound leaks and the bass becomes blurry, a common problem for users who wear headphones during sports, sweat and movement shift their position.
3. Failures in Xiaomi’s Bluetooth codec often use proprietary codecs (e.g., proprietary codecs, LHDC or AAC) If your smartphone or headphones are not properly processing them, the sound can be distorted, for example, when you connect to an iPhone, some Xiaomi models automatically switch to the iPhone. SBC — The simplest and most low-quality codecs.
4. Damage to the speaker (for example, after falling or getting moisture) can lead to an imbalance of frequencies. Most often, the membrane of the low-frequency speaker suffers - it loses elasticity and begins to "clap", creating a can effect.
5. Effects such as Mi Sound Enhancer, Dolby Atmos, or even the system equalizer can conflict with the headphone settings, for example, if the equalizer is too high bass and high frequencies are cut, the sound will be "deaf".

Critical information: If the "bank" sound appeared after updating the firmware of the headphones or smartphone, the problem is almost certainly software, in which case a reset or a rollback to the previous version of the software will help.

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Before diagnosing, check the headphones on another device (for example, connect to a laptop or tablet). If the problem remains - the fault is the hardware, if it disappeared - look for the reason in the settings of the smartphone.

How to Clean Xiaomi Headphones From Dust and Sulfur

If the cause is clogging, you'll need a soft brush (like makeup), cotton swabs, isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%) and a toothpick. Never use water or sharp objects! Moisture can damage speakers, and metal tools can scratch the membrane.

Remove the embustures (silicone nozzles) and rinse them with warm water and soap|Carefully remove dust from the speaker grilles with a dry brush|Wet the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and wipe the metal contacts (for wired models)|Blow the headphones with compressed air (for example, a canister to clean the keyboard)|Allow the headphones to dry completely before use (minimum 1 hour)-->

For wireless models (Redmi AirDots, Xiaomi Buds) pay special attention to:

• 🔋 Charging contacts – oxidation or dirt can cause unstable nutrition, which affects the sound.
• 🕳️ Microphone holes – clogging leads to noise loss and indirectly affects reproduction.
• 🔊 Speaker grilles – even a small layer of dust can distort sound.

After cleaning, check the headphones at maximum volume. If the bass is sharper and the high frequencies are clearer, the problem was the clogging. If not, move on.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use a vacuum cleaner to clean your headphones! a strong airflow can damage the speaker membrane or rip off small details.

Sound setting: equalizer, codecs and Xiaomi branded chips

If the hardware is OK, the problem lies in the software settings, and let's start with the obvious one, the equalizer, which Xiaomi smartphones can have embedded in:

• 📱 Standard application "Music" (Settings section) → equalizer).
• 🎧 Headphone app (such as Mi Earphones or Xiaomi Audio).
• 🔊 System sound settings (Settings) → Sound. → Sound effects).

Open the equalizer and reset all sliders to neutral (usually a straight line). If the problem disappears, the wrong profile was to blame. If not, check the Bluetooth codecs:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open Settings → Connected devices → Headphones → More
3. Find the Audio Codecs or Sound Quality.
4. Choose. AAC or aptX (if available). Avoid SBC — This is the simplest codec with low bitrate.

For supported models LHDC (For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, try to turn it on manually. This codec provides a bitrate of up to 900 kbps, which greatly improves the detail of the sound. If after changing the codec, the problem remains, disable all branded chips:

• 🔇 Mi Sound Enhancer (boosts bass but can blur bass»).
• 🎛️ Dolby Atmos or Mi Spatial Audio (sometimes conflicting with headphone settings).
• 🔄 Adaptive sound (automatically adjusts frequencies, but not always correctly).

Hardware malfunctions: when it is time to go to the service

If neither cleaning nor tweaking helped, it's likely the hardware problem.Here are signs that the headphones need repair:

• 🔊 The sound is distorted even on another device (PC, laptop, other smartphone).
• 🔋 One speaker sounds quieter or with a delay.
• 💧 Headphones fell into the water or were subjected to strong vibration (for example, in a backpack without a cover).
• 🔌 Wired headphones sparkle when connected or require a “spin plug” for normal sound.

The most frequent hardware breakdowns:

If your headphones are warranty, do not try to repair them yourself - this will void warranty obligations. Contact the authorized Xiaomi service center (the list can be found on the official website).

• 🔧 Dynamic replacement: 1,500–3,000 ₽.
• 🔌 Wire/connector repair: 800–1,500 ₽.
• 📡 Replacement of Bluetooth module: 2,500–4,000 ₽ (It is often cheaper to buy new headphones).

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi headphones are purchased on AliExpress or in unofficial stores, the warranty may not apply. mi.com/global/verify.

Firmware and resetting headphones: when helps “hard reboot”

Software failures are one of the most insidious causes of bank sound, and they can occur after:

• 📱 Updates to the firmware of the smartphone or headphones.
• 🔄 Connecting to multiple devices at the same time.
• 🔋 Headphones are zero».

The first thing to try is resetting the headphones. For most Xiaomi models, the procedure looks like this:

1. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 10-15 seconds.
3. The indicator should flash red and white - this is a signal for reset.
4. Connect the headphones again via Bluetooth.

If the reset didn’t help, try updating the firmware through the official app:

1. Install Xiaomi Audio or Mi Earphones from Google Play/AppGallery.
2. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
3. Open the application and go to the Firmware Update section.
4. If a new version is available, install it (earphones must be charged at least 50%).

Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and later, the beta firmware with improved sound processing is available to install:

1. In the Xiaomi Audio app, go to Settings → About the program.


2. Tap 5 times according to the application version to activate the developer mode.




3. Go back to the main menu and select “Beta version of firmware”.

⚠️ Warning: Installing beta firmware may cause headphones to work unstable. If the sound gets worse after the update, roll back through the same app.

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Resetting and updating firmware help in 60% of software failures. If the problem persists, check the headphones on another device to help rule out hardware malfunctions.

What to do if nothing helps: alternative solutions

If you’ve tried everything, but the sound is still “banked,” there are some radical measures left:

• 🔄 Use headphones with another device Connect them to an iPhone, MacBook or Android smartphone of another brand. If the problem disappears, it is your Xiaomi phone (possibly a faulty Bluetooth module).
• 🎧 Buy new insulations Silicone nozzles lose elasticity over time. Order original or compatible (for example, Comply Foam) - they better isolate sound.
• 🔊 For wired models, you can use an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC), for example, Xiaomi USB-C to 3.5mm. It bypasses the smartphone’s built-in audio track, which sometimes solves the problem.
• 📦 Return headphones under warranty If the device is warranty, and the problem is hardware - contact the store or service center with a requirement to replace.

If you decide to buy new headphones, pay attention to models with active noise cancellation (ANC) — They tend to have better speakers and are less likely to suffer from the "banking" effect. - Xiaomi's current models in 2026:

• 🎵 Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro (support) LHDC 4.0, improved speakers).
• 🎵 Redmi Buds 5 (budget version with good sound insulation).
• 🎵 Xiaomi Flora Pro (Hybrid speakers, natural sound).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “bank” sound in headphones Xiaomi