Budget Friendly audio upgrade for 2025 Equinox

[Tnyce1]

Hi, as we are all aware the audio system in the 2025/26 Equinox is horrible, and there is no factory upgrade available. I know there has been a few posts where people have upgraded their factory system. I don't know a lot about card audio, but I've got to do something to improve the sound quality in this car. Has anyone upgraded their system for a reasonable price and are happy with the results? If so, would you be wiling to list what you did including equipment model numbers and basic installation tips?

 

[PoManNox]

IMO, the problem with today's vehicles is the info/entertainment system is so integrated into the car, aftermarket units typically can and will interfere with other systems in the vehicle.

The other issue I have with aftermarket installs is, unless you can do a really good job with the wiring and overall install yourself, or know a guy that is exceptional, your average shop is going to make a mess of things in terms of wiring, etc. I absolutely can't stand fuse taps, scotch locks, etc and that's what you are typically going to get and that's BEST case scenario. I've seen some really bad "car audio shop" installs.

 

[Tonebalone]

I just checked Crutchfield.com and they have nothing but floormats and gutter guards for the '25-26 Equinox. That's a pity.

 

[rawhite318]

Unfortunately there isn't a cheap way. Basically there are two things you can do. buy a wiring harness, new amp and speakers and have it installed to make your factory radio sound better or buy all that plus a new radio. Choosing the wrong wiring harness could cost the retention of factory comforts. The wiring harness for my 2018 was about $800 and it sounds amazing but I also added speakers, changed out factory speakers, dynomatted almost the whole thing and added one sub amp and two four way amps.

 

[dieselloverfr06]

Unfortunately there isn't a cheap way. Basically there are two things you can do. buy a wiring harness, new amp and speakers and have it installed to make your factory radio sound better or buy all that plus a new radio. Choosing the wrong wiring harness could cost the retention of factory comforts. The wiring harness for my 2018 was about $800 and it sounds amazing but I also added speakers, changed out factory speakers, dynomatted almost the whole thing and added one sub amp and two four way amps.

I have a 2018 and I wish to improve the "Bose" stock system. Where did you buy the wiring harness?

 

[rawhite318]

I have a 2018 and I wish to improve the "Bose" stock system. Where did you buy the wiring harness

ill explain what I did but first Ill tell you what I wish I knew before I did what I did. this is what I would have used for my car if I went this route. https://axxessinterfaces.com/product/AXDSPX-GL10. It is far easier to install but will still run about $300. What I did was bought this. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_161DM810/AudioControl-DM-810-Digital-Signal-Processor.html?tp=61658. but I had to make my own wiring harness for it by interrupting the wires going to the amp and feeding them into the audiocontrol then bringing the wires from that to the amps I purchased and then run those wires to the factory harness to the speakers. The process is the same for both. but with the wiring harness there is nothing extra to mount. just the amps. either way if that sounds like to much to f with then bring it to a pro installer but do your research. like PoManNox said in a round about way there are some stupid lazy people out there. I myself don't mind a fuse tap but I know where and when to use them.
edit. I just realized that with the axxcess harness you don't have to take the steps I did because rca's are built into the harness.
another edit. call axxcess and make sure that's the right harness for you. I guess the Canadian plant uses a different harness than the one in Mexico. also my car didn't have the Bose system so that probably makes a difference.

 

[Autoworker 74]

Hi, as we are all aware the audio system in the 2025/26 Equinox is horrible, and there is no factory upgrade available. I know there has been a few posts where people have upgraded their factory system. I don't know a lot about card audio, but I've got to do something to improve the sound quality in this car. Has anyone upgraded their system for a reasonable price and are happy with the results? If so, would you be wiling to list what you did including equipment model numbers and basic installation tips?

 

[Autoworker 74]

The AM radio in my 69 Impala was horrible but the radio in my 25 is fine for me. Maybe some better speakers would help but if you start messing with the electronics in that vehicle and you are asking for trouble.

 

[rawhite318]

The AM radio in my 69 Impala was horrible but the radio in my 25 is fine for me. Maybe some better speakers would help but if you start messing with the electronics in that vehicle and you are asking for trouble.

I’m am curious. Why do you say that? I know there are people out there that think that cutting the wire to the back door speakers and running four other speakers off that same wire is good. There are also good installers out there that know stuff like ohms law and know that’s a good way to start a little fire in your dash.

 

[Yates 51]

Our 24 Equinox sound system sounds as bad as any I have ever heard, and that's in the Premier model. Sounds like Chevy retained it going forward.

 

[Tnyce1]

Our 24 Equinox sound system sounds as bad as any I have ever heard, and that's in the Premier model. Sounds like Chevy retained it going forward.

The 2025's have no Bose or any upgraded system available. It's only 6 cheap speakers with no amp or sub

 

[Jnissen]

I applied some sound deadening to the inner door trim and selectively on inner door. That helped the worst of the buzzing. Still not great but better. I also unplugged the rear seat microphones for the active noise cancellation. Daughter was reporting it randomly buzzing based on road noise.

Since doing this the sound is better but still not great. Wish they had an easy upgrade but sadly that’s not in the cards.

 

[2025ChevNox]

Instead of unplugging those microphones, tell your dealer service department that you're hearing a buzz, roar and road noise at highway speeds. This should lead to them installing the ANC update that will bring some improvement to your Infotainment sound while fixing the buzz and road noise roar. Never attempt to solve issues while under warranty without discussing with your dealer service department and letting them do what they do.

 

[2025ChevNox]

Hi, as we are all aware the audio system in the 2025/26 Equinox is horrible, and there is no factory upgrade available. I know there has been a few posts where people have upgraded their factory system. I don't know a lot about card audio, but I've got to do something to improve the sound quality in this car. Has anyone upgraded their system for a reasonable price and are happy with the results? If so, would you be wiling to list what you did including equipment model numbers and basic installation tips?

See a professional. Look at upgrading your front door speakers and adding an under seat subwoofer. I did this in my 2020 Cadillac XT4 and it now sounds as good as any Bose factory system. You also need to bump your fader two or three bumps to the rear, max out your built in equalizer Bass, adjust Midrange and Treble to your hearing and increase volume. This gives the rear speakers more opportunity for you to hear all four speakers together.