How to Use the Equalizer on Xiaomi Phones to Boost Headphone Bass (MIUI Guide)

 Music has a powerful connection to emotions. For many people, listening through headphones or earphones is part of their daily routine — whether while working, exercising, or relaxing. That’s why achieving the best possible sound quality is so important for a satisfying listening experience.

Luckily, if you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you don’t need any third-party apps to improve your audio. MIUI, Xiaomi’s customized Android interface, comes with a built-in sound equalizer that allows you to fine-tune the frequency balance of your headphones, earphones, or earbuds — no matter what model you’re using.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to access and use Xiaomi’s built-in equalizer, how to boost bass for your headphones, and what to know before adjusting your sound settings.

🎧 What Is the Equalizer on Xiaomi Phones?

An equalizer (EQ) lets you manually adjust the sound frequencies that your phone outputs through your headphones or speakers. In other words, it’s a tool that helps you fine-tune your sound experience — enhancing bass, improving treble, or reducing midrange frequencies depending on your preference.

MIUI’s equalizer is hidden inside the Sound & Vibration settings. It supports both wired and Bluetooth headphones, so whether you use Xiaomi Mi AirDots, Redmi Buds, or any other model, you can customize the audio profile to your liking.

🔍 Before You Boost the Bass: What You Should Know

Before jumping into bass boosting, it’s useful to understand a few basic concepts about audio frequencies:

• The human ear can hear frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (20 kHz).

• Low frequencies — below 250 Hz — correspond to bass sounds.

• The deepest bass is found between 20–80 Hz, while the mid-bass “punch” lies around 120–250 Hz.

When you use an equalizer, these are the ranges you’ll be adjusting to make your headphones sound deeper and fuller.

However, keep in mind that too much bass can distort sound or overpower vocals. A balanced EQ setup is ideal for a rich, clear listening experience.

🎵 How to Access and Use the Equalizer on Xiaomi Phones

Accessing the equalizer on Xiaomi devices is simple, but it only appears when your headphones or earphones are connected — either via Bluetooth or a wired connection.

Follow these steps to open and adjust the equalizer:

1. Open Settings on your Xiaomi phone.

2. Scroll down and tap Sound & Vibration.

3. Scroll again to find and select Sound Effects.

4. Tap on Equalizer.

5. If the equalizer appears grayed out, enable it by toggling My Sound Enhancer just below the EQ section.

Once the equalizer is active, you’ll see a frequency graph with bands ranging from 65 Hz to 14 kHz.
Each band represents a different range of sound frequencies — from deep bass (left side) to treble (right side).

⚙️ How to Boost Bass on Xiaomi Phones

To increase the bass response of your headphones, you’ll want to focus on the lower frequency bands, particularly:

• 65 Hz — Deep, sub-bass tones (felt more than heard)

• 160 Hz — Mid-bass “punch” that adds weight and rhythm

Simply drag the sliders for these bands upward slightly to enhance the bass.
Make small, gradual changes — boosting too much can cause distortion or muddiness in the sound.

💡 Tip: Try playing a song with strong bass (like a hip-hop or electronic track) while adjusting the EQ so you can immediately hear the difference.

🎚️ Using Presets for Different Music Genres

If you’re not comfortable manually tuning frequencies, Xiaomi’s equalizer includes preset profiles optimized for various music genres.

You can select a preset that automatically adjusts the EQ curve for your preferred style of music. For example:

• Pop – Balanced highs and mids for vocals

• Rock – Boosted mids and treble for guitars and drums

• Hip-Hop – Enhanced low frequencies for strong bass

• Electronic – Deep bass and bright highs for energy and clarity

• Classical – Smooth midrange for orchestral balance

To access presets, simply open the dropdown menu at the top of the equalizer and choose your preferred genre.

If you want deeper bass without manually tweaking frequencies, selecting Hip-Hop or Electronic is usually the best choice.

🎧 Tips for Getting the Best Audio Quality

Here are a few additional tips to make the most out of Xiaomi’s equalizer and achieve excellent sound quality with your headphones:

1. Use High-Quality Audio Files or Streaming Settings

If you’re using music streaming apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, or Deezer, go into their settings and select High-Quality or Lossless Audio. Better input means better output.

2. Pair with Good Headphones

Even with EQ adjustments, the quality of your headphones matters. Bass-heavy models like Redmi Buds 5 Pro, Mi Air 2, or Mi Headphones Comfort respond well to EQ tuning.

3. Don’t Overdo Bass Boosting

While it’s tempting to maximize the bass sliders, doing so can make the sound distorted or “muddy.” Subtle enhancements often produce a more natural and enjoyable tone.

4. Adjust Volume and Output Mode

High bass settings can cause distortion at maximum volume. Try keeping your volume around 70–80% for cleaner output.
If available, you can also switch between Headphones, Earbuds, or In-ear mode in MIUI’s Sound Effects section for different sound signatures.

5. Save Your Preferred Settings

Once you find an EQ configuration that you like, take a screenshot or note the frequency levels. Unfortunately, MIUI doesn’t currently allow saving multiple EQ profiles, so this helps if you ever need to reset your phone.

📱 Example: Ideal EQ Settings for More Bass

If you’re listening to bass-driven genres like hip-hop, EDM, or reggaeton, try the following approximate settings:

This configuration enhances low-end depth while keeping vocals and high frequencies clear. Feel free to experiment until it sounds perfect to your ears.

🎶 Equalizer Not Working? Here’s What to Check

If the equalizer option is grayed out or not applying changes, try the following:

• Ensure headphones are connected. The EQ only activates when a headset (wired or Bluetooth) is detected.

• Enable “My Sound Enhancer.” This switch activates Xiaomi’s sound processing tools.

• Restart your phone. Sometimes MIUI sound effects need a reboot to refresh properly.

• Update your MIUI version. Older builds may have bugs related to sound settings.

If you still can’t access the equalizer, third-party apps like Wavelet or Poweramp Equalizer can be alternatives — but the built-in MIUI tool usually works best for Xiaomi devices.

✅ Final Thoughts

Xiaomi’s built-in equalizer is an underrated feature that can dramatically improve your listening experience. Whether you’re using wired earphones or wireless earbuds, a few small adjustments can make your music sound fuller, deeper, and more dynamic.

By following this guide, you can:

• Access MIUI’s hidden equalizer easily

• Boost the bass frequencies for a richer sound

• Choose presets tailored to your favorite music styles

• Customize your listening experience without installing extra apps

So next time you plug in your headphones, take a few minutes to explore the Sound Effects and Equalizer settings on your Xiaomi phone. You’ll be surprised at how much better your favorite songs can sound with just a few simple tweaks.