The Xiaomi Mi Soundbar might be the perfect solution for you. Launched in 2019, this budget-friendly soundbar has garnered a lot of attention for its impressive sound quality and sleek design.

But is it still worth considering in 2024? This review will delve deep into the Xiaomi Mi Soundbar's features, performance, and potential drawbacks, helping you decide if it lives up to the claim of being "worth it!"

We'll explore its strengths, such as clear dialogue, rich bass (considering the lack of a dedicated subwoofer), and overall value for money.

However, we won't shy away from its limitations, including the lack of a remote control and limited connectivity options.

By the end of this review, you'll be well-equipped to decide if the Xiaomi Mi Soundbar is the missing piece to elevate your home entertainment experience.

Also Read: How to Fix Sound Issues on a Xiaomi TV in 2024

Xiaomi Mi Soundbar Review

The Xiaomi Mi Soundbar offers an impressive audio upgrade at an unbeatable price. With its sleek design and sturdy build, it adds a touch of elegance to any TV setup.

Setting up the soundbar is a breeze, and its multiple connectivity options ensure seamless integration with various devices. The sound quality is surprisingly powerful, thanks to the eight sound drivers that deliver clear treble and amplified bass.

While it may lack a subwoofer, the Mi Soundbar still outperforms other models in its price range. The soundstage is narrow, requiring optimal positioning for the best experience, but it excels at enhancing the TV viewing experience.

With its affordable price tag and impressive performance, the Xiaomi Mi Soundbar is a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking an audio upgrade.

Specifications

Inside the Box

Like most Xiaomi products, the soundbar comes in a sturdy white box with specifications on the side. On the front of the box, you'll find the image of the device. Inside the box, you'll find the

• The Xiaomi Soundbar Itself
• A power cable and a SPDIF cable
• You also get screws in case you decide to mount the soundbar to a wall

1 Unit Contains: 1x Mi Soundbar, 1x User Manual, 1x Adapter, 1x SPDIF Cable, 2 Wall Mount screws + 2 Expansion screws

Xiaomi Soundbar Review - Design and Appearance

Considering the aggressive pricing of the soundbar, it is built quite well. It has a white polycarbonate exterior with a fabric front that gives the Mi Soundbar a Google Home-like vibe.

Although white makes the soundbar look clean and minimalistic, it would be a great option to opt for the Soundbar in Black since most of the TV units are black. The unit comes with brackets at the back to mount the soundbar. The front of the device has a fabric mesh giving it a premium look and feel.

As for controls, the physical buttons are located at the top of the soundbar for the various input modes and volume controls and the rear has the input modes along with a dedicated power switch. The Mi Soundbar is at a reasonable length of 33 inches making it perfect for any household.

Mi Home Theatre - Function and Use

Xiaomi has stated that it would take roughly 30 seconds or less to power on the soundbar and connect it to any device. All you would have to do is simply connect the soundbar to a power source, turn it on, connect it to the TV with either the SPDIF, Optical, or Bluetooth using the inputs available at the top of the device and voila, you now have uninterrupted good quality sound.

Operating the Mi Soundbar is quite simple, the power switch at the back of the device turns it on with the last used input mode or source selected. If the Mi Soundbar is being used primarily with the TV you would be able to control the volume of the soundbar with the TV remote.

Switching to an alternate source is easy, all you have to do is reach out and press the appropriate source button at the top of the soundbar, a small LED indicator will light up when the primary inputs are being changed to show that it is active.

Unfortunately, when it comes to Bluetooth, unlike most other devices the Xiaomi Mi Soundbar only remembers one Bluetooth device at a time. This would be an issue for those who would like to use the soundbar to play music externally while also staying connected to the TV.

Xiaomi TV Bar - Performance

Though the Mi Soundbar does not have an inbuilt subwoofer, the inbuilt speakers pack quite a punch. Upon inspection, we have two 20mm dome tweeters, four passive radiators, and two 2.5-inch woofer drivers.

A total of 8 drivers have a positive effect on each other and improve the quality of the sound by a considerable degree. The volume output was the biggest improvement from traditional soundbars; the Mi soundbar was louder than what you’d expect from most TVs.

Since soundbars are supposed to improve the quality and volume capabilities of a TV, you can expect a significant increase in both factors. Especially for the low price.

The volume is outstanding. It can achieve an output of around 20W. However, I wouldn't recommend setting high volumes as it can distort the sound. Especially on the highs. If your turn it up to 100, you can even hear it affecting the mids.

The audio tuning in the soundbar is designed for typical TV viewing wherein Xiaomi has ensured a good mid-range in terms of audio output. Movies and TV shows that depend on deep bass and deep music for their dramatic effect sounded pretty decent on the Mi soundbar.

With the sound being extremely clear, it was definitely worth the investment. Even my grandad with hearing issues could catch the district sounds and low voices of the actors with ease.

The Mi Soundbar has a wide soundstage namely due to the multiple drivers and length of the device as compared to typical Bluetooth speakers, but is not so wide on the soundstage when comparing it to high-end Bluetooth towers/soundbars which focus primarily on the sound effect.

It does have its cons. While soundbars are supposed to project audio in a surround sound manner to the entire room, this one only projects its sound narrowly.

This means you need to sit directly in front of the soundbar for the best experience. Another irritating con is that although it can be connected to a music player via Bluetooth, the Music experience is complete shit. It is best used to elevate the TV experience as it improves the BGM more than the vocal aspect.

Mi TV Sound - Key Features

Each soundbar is designed to provide the users with a variety of features to make their experience positive. With the Xiaomi Mi Soundbar, you have the following:

• Room Filling Sound: Xiaomi has packed its soundbar with 8 sound drivers to deliver exceptional sound and audio performance.
• Multiple Connectivity Options: S/PDIF, Optical, Aux-In, Line-in, and Bluetooth
• Minimalistic Design: A classy fabric mesh front complementing the bar shape design
• 30-Second Setup: Effortless setup for the tabletop or simply mount it on the wall; insert the S/PDIF cable into the soundbar and TV; Power-on the device
• Speaker setup:
  • 20mm dome tweeter x2 - For clear treble to compliment the bass and depth of the sound
  • Passive radiators x2 - Amplifies the bass for a better experience
  • 2.5” woofer drivers x2 - Covers the mid-tones and high-frequency notes
• High-speed Bluetooth 4.2 LE feature: Seamless connectivity and supports A2DP music playback
• Weight: 1.925kg
• Wall Mount Dimensions: 416mm width
• Frequency Response Range: 50 Hz - 25000 Hz ( -10 dB)
• Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms

Xiaomi Mi Soundbar Review - Final Thoughts

Xiaomi has managed to undercut its competition across various categories namely, smartphones, lifestyle and improvement, smart home devices, and fitness-related products.

The first-ever soundbar launched by Xiaomi, the Mi Soundbar sticks to this aggressive pricing model.

Is the product worth it? Yes, this is a great companion for your TV within a reasonable price margin. It packs quite a punch, delivering clear sound whether you’re playing games, watching movies, or simply listening to music. The Mi Soundbar is built well and is quite rugged with a nice smooth finish.

The lack of the subwoofer would be a drawback but on the other hand, it does come at an exceptionally low price of 68$ for the specs listed above, the Mi Soundbar remains unmatched in this price range.

If you have a budget of only 100$ look no further, the Mi Soundbar sounds better and looks reasonably decent than most soundbars in this segment.

Should You Buy the Xiaomi Mi Soundbar 3.1ch?

The Xiaomi Mi Soundbar 3.1 is an elegant and sleek audio device that delivers a crisp and immersive sound experience. Despite being made of plastic, the build quality is commendable, with a slightly glossy top and a matte finish on the subwoofer. The black color adds a touch of sophistication to any room.

Measuring 860 x 115 x 60 mm, the soundbar features a metal grille on the front, showcasing the iconic Xiaomi logo. The use of a metal grille instead of a textile surface ensures durability.

However, the grille occasionally obstructs the OLED display underneath, making it difficult to read at times. On the top, you'll find an NFC chip and four control buttons, including power, volume, and input selection. The back houses the ports and power cable connection.

The Mi Soundbar 3.1 boasts a total power output of 430 W, divided between the soundbar (180 W) and the wireless subwoofer (250 W).

The soundbar features three wideband speakers with separate tweeters, while the subwoofer includes a 6.5" subwoofer and a bass reflex system with an air tube. This configuration enhances the bass and provides a more pronounced low-end response.

The remote control resembles a standard TV remote, offering convenient control over various functions. It includes buttons for power, input selection, Bluetooth, sound modes, and volume control. The remote requires two AAA batteries, not included in the package.

The Mi Soundbar 3.1 offers five sound modes to suit different content types. While the overall sound output is decent, the bass tends to dominate, making it ideal for regular TV shows, movies, and modern pop or electronic music.

It may not provide the best experience for heavier rock or metal genres. The Cinema and Game modes stand out, delivering a more spatial and immersive sound experience.

Bass enthusiasts will appreciate the customizable bass strength, adjustable from -6 to +6. Even at the lowest setting, the bass remains prominent. The soundbar also features AI Sound for sound optimization and Night Mode for reducing volume instantly.

In terms of connectivity, the Mi Soundbar 3.1 offers Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC for wireless connections. It also provides several ports, including HDMI, optical, USB, and coaxial, allowing for versatile wired connections. The HDMI ARC port allows seamless volume control with a TV remote, although the automatic on/off synchronization may be inconsistent.

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Mi Soundbar 3.1 is an impressive audio solution with a powerful sound output and a range of connectivity options. Priced around 220 USD, it offers good value for money.

With its sleek design, customizable bass, and various sound modes, it caters to different preferences and content types. While it may have some minor drawbacks, such as the slightly obstructed display and limited instructions for advanced settings, the Mi Soundbar 3.1 is a solid choice for those seeking an immersive audio experience.

Steps to Connect a Bluetooth device to the Mi Soundbar

1. Plugin the Soundbar and turn it on.
2. Press and hold the Bluetooth button located on the top of the device for 3-5 seconds until the Bluetooth indicator starts blinking.
3. Open the Bluetooth settings page on your device (Laptop/Mobile) to which you wish to connect and select ‘Mi Soundbar’ from the list of available devices.
4. To pair a new device, press and hold the Bluetooth button at the top of the Soundbar for 2-5 seconds until the blue indicator light blinks rapidly and follow step 3 again.

How to Mount the Mi Soundbar at home?

1. Using a pencil, mark the position on the wall where you want to drill the holes. Make sure it’s at a desirable height.
   1. The point between the two holes has to be 416mm in length.
2. Drill holes in the marked locations on the wall.
3. Slide the expansion anchor (provided in the box) to each of the two holes in the wall. Insert the screws (provided in the box) into each of the respective anchors in the wall and screw them in tightly.
4. Mount the Soundbar onto the screws

Button Controls

1. Power Switch allocated at the top: Allows you to turn your Mi Soundbar ON and OFF
2. Input Toggle Buttons allocated at the top: This allows you to change the primary source to any of the available options, namely:
   1. Optical
   2. S/PDIF
   3. Line-In
   4. Aux-In
   5. Bluetooth
3. Volume control allocated at the top: This allows you to manually increase or decrease the volume.
4. The main power switch allocated at the back of the Soundbar: This is the main power switch that permits the inflow of current to the Soundbar so that it may be powered on.

Xiaomi Mi Soundbar vs Redmi TV Soundbar

Xiaomi Mi Soundbar - FAQs

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