Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 Audio test

We subjected the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 to our rigorous SBMARK audio test suite to measure its performance both when recording sound using its built-in microphones, and when playing audio through its speakers.

In this review, we’ll analyze how it performed in a variety of tests and several common use cases.

Overview

Key audio specs include:

• Three speakers (two on the underside when unfolded, one under the front screen when folded)
• No audio jack output
• Dolby Atmos technology

Reproduction

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With a SBMARK audio score of 121, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 performed decent overall in our tests compared to the smartphone market as a whole. However, the results started to look a little less impressive when you consider the Mix Fold 2’s large size in its unfolded state and its hefty price tag. Overall, Xiaomi’s latest foldable is somewhat of a missed opportunity in terms of the physical implementation of speakers and microphones, as well as audio tuning.

As a playback device, the Mix Fold 2 worked best when listening to music, but it was also a decent option for gaming and watching movies, thanks to sharp attack and good punch across the board of volume. Overall playback quality was pretty poor for a device at the higher end of the Ultra-Premium price range. The same could be said for the recording, but on the bright side, most of the audio recordings remained intelligible in windy conditions and were fairly free of artifacts.

Trial summary

Learn about SBMARK audio tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone audio reviews, SBMARK engineers perform a series of objective tests and undertake more than 20 hours of perceptual evaluation under controlled laboratory conditions.
(For more details on our playback protocol, click here; for more details on our recording protocol, click here.)
The following section compiles the key elements of our extensive testing and analysis performed in the SBMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations in the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.

When using the Mix Fold 2 as a playback device, it delivered average tonal performance in our tests. Tonal balance was disappointing overall, with a focus on the top end but also a lack of brightness in the upper treble. At the same time, the bass was insufficient, despite the artificial boost. Dynamics were pretty good overall, thanks to very crisp attack across all volume levels, decent bass accuracy, and good punch.

The Xiaomi scored decently in the space category, but given the device’s large size when unfolded, our testers expected much more. When held in portrait orientation, the Mix Fold 2 offered no stereo audio. The width of the rendered soundstage was decent in landscape orientation, but again the results seemed less impressive considering the device’s large size. The localizability of individual sound sources in the scene was quite good, but voices sounded too far away most of the time.

Our audio experts found the maximum volume to be average and the minimum volume too low for good intelligibility of quiet content. However, the volume steps were consistent from the lowest level to the highest. We encountered a number of unwanted audio artifacts during our testing, including compression and distortion at all volume levels. With the device unfolded, it was also virtually impossible not to cover the left and right speakers with your hands.

Hear about the playback performance of the smartphone tested in this comparison with some of its competitors:

Here’s how the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 fares in playback use cases compared to its competitors:

Here are some sound pressure levels (SPL) measured while playing our sample recordings of hip-hop and classical music at maximum volume:

The following graph shows the gradual changes in volume from minimum to maximum. We expect these changes to be consistent across the range, so that all volume steps match user expectations:

When recording, the Xiaomi delivered decent tonal performance overall, but our experts found the tonal balance lacked top-end range and brightness when recording with the main and selfie cameras. When recording at high SPLs, for example, concerts, the tonal balance was subtly rendered, with a significant lack of bass and bass extension. In terms of dynamics, the device offered an average signal-to-noise ratio. The envelope was quite accurate but overall sounded slightly flat.

Sound scene recording breadth was good with the main camera, but noticeably smaller with the selfie camera and memo app. Distance rendering was realistic and locateability was good across all use cases, resulting in overall average spatial performance. Volume performance was good in all use cases, and in our recording tests, the Mix Fold 2 was virtually free of unwanted artifacts aside from some bass distortion and pumping at high SPLs. The rendering of the background was quite natural.

Here’s how the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 fares in recording use cases compared to its competitors:

Here are the sound levels recorded in the audio and video files, measured in LUFS (Loudness Unit Full Scale); for reference, we expect volume levels to be above -24 LUFS for recorded content:

In this audio comparison, you can hear how this smartphone handles wind noise compared to its competitors:

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[“Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4”]=> string(69) “resources/Xiaomi/MixFold2/SamsungGalaxyZFold4_MicrophoneArtifacts.m4a”
[“Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max”]=> string(69) “resources/Xiaomi/MixFold2/AppleiPhone14ProMax_MicrophoneArtifacts.m4a” }