Xiaomi Mi ANC EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Xiaomi Mi ANC, the specs that matter, and what changes when you use them with a Mac. Copy the settings and apply them in one click.
The short answer
- Adds about 6 dB of sub-bass and bass.
- Cuts about 6 dB around 1 kHz.
- Adds about 9 dB around 8 kHz.
- Cuts about 8 dB in the highest treble.
Mi ANC at a glance
Neckband earphones with active noise cancellation, released in 2021. Official specifications from Xiaomi:
- Driver
- 10 mm dynamic
- ANC
- Active noise cancellation (up to 25 dB)
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- Battery
- Up to 20 h
- Weight
- ≈ 36 g
- IP rating
- IPX5
Sources: Fonearena: Mi Neckband Pro launch.
Using the Mi ANC with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Mi ANC support AAC and SBC, and a Mac picks AAC, the better of the two. It carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates (44.1 or 48 kHz).
Calls sound worse than music. As soon as an app uses the earbuds' microphone (Zoom, FaceTime, a dictation shortcut), Bluetooth switches to hands-free mode, which has much lower audio quality. Pick your Mac's built-in microphone as the input to keep the Mi ANC in stereo music mode.
ANC not controllable TuningMac cannot change noise-control modes on Xiaomi earbuds. Use the button on the neckband to toggle modes.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Xiaomi's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Xiaomi's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the Mi ANC. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 6 dB of sub-bass and bass.
- Cuts about 6 dB around 1 kHz.
- Adds about 9 dB around 8 kHz.
- Cuts about 8 dB in the highest treble.
Fit, ear tips and your own ears all change what you hear, and neutral isn't everyone's favourite sound. Use this as a starting point, then adjust by ear.
Apply it in TuningMac (parametric EQ)
TuningMac's Advanced EQ imports this format directly. Copy the settings, then:
- Open TuningMac ▸ Settings ▸ Advanced EQ with your Mi ANC connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Mi ANC (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Mi ANC and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.3 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 875 Hz Gain -6.3 dB Q 0.55 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 6073 Hz Gain 8.0 dB Q 0.48 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3649 Hz Gain -10.5 dB Q 1.91 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2459 Hz Gain 5.2 dB Q 2.49 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.6 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 162 Hz Gain 1.6 dB Q 2.33 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 9462 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 3.09 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 342 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 2.12 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 592 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 1.31
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 875 Hz | −6.3 dB | 0.55 |
| 3 | Bell | 6.07 kHz | +8.0 dB | 0.48 |
| 4 | Bell | 3.65 kHz | −10.5 dB | 1.91 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.46 kHz | +5.2 dB | 2.49 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −5.6 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 162 Hz | +1.6 dB | 2.33 |
| 8 | Bell | 9.46 kHz | +3.0 dB | 3.09 |
| 9 | Bell | 342 Hz | −1.1 dB | 2.12 |
| 10 | Bell | 592 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.31 |
Preamp: −6.3 dB. It lowers the overall level so the boosts don't clip.
Prefer simple sliders? The 10-band version
No Advanced EQ needed: AutoEQ also gives values for a standard 10-band equalizer, the same bands as TuningMac's main EQ. In the menu bar popover choose Custom, set each slider, and set the preamp to about −8.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Xiaomi Mi ANC use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Mi ANC support AAC and SBC, and a Mac picks AAC, the better of the two. It carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates.
What are the best EQ settings for the Xiaomi Mi ANC?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 6 dB of bass, cuts about 6 dB around 1 kHz, adds about 9 dB around 8 kHz, with a preamp of -6.3 dB. The exact values are on this page, ready to copy. Treat it as a neutral starting point and adjust to taste.
Why do my Xiaomi Mi ANC sound bad on calls on a Mac?+
When an app uses the earbuds' microphone, Bluetooth switches from stereo music mode to a hands-free call mode with much lower audio quality. To keep music quality during calls, choose your Mac's built-in microphone as the input instead. TuningMac's Input list does this in one click, and its Device Info shows which mode you're in.
Can I control the Xiaomi Mi ANC's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Xiaomi's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Xiaomi's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in Xiaomi's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Xiaomi's app is applied inside the earbuds, so it also affects your Mac and would add to this correction. TuningMac's EQ only changes sound from your Mac, so it won't affect your phone.
Tune your Mi ANC on your Mac
Parametric and 10-band EQ, noise control and battery in the menu bar.
EQ data from AutoEQ by Jaakko Pasanen (MIT licence), measurement by oratory1990. Specifications from Xiaomi's published specifications. Xiaomi Mi ANC is a trademark of Xiaomi; TuningMac is not affiliated with Xiaomi.