I just got a new 2025 Equinox, and the sound quality is seriously driving me insane. There’s no depth to the music, and at times it almost sounds underwater. I’ve seen this mentioned in a few comments, but what’s the actual problem here? Is it the speakers? The computer itself? Is this fixable? I’ve messed with the settings as much as I could, and it seems a bit better at higher volumes, but I don’t always want the music loud. I can’t believe that the '08 I just got rid of sounded 10 times better than my brand new car.
It’s just a cheap stereo. Front speakers are labeled 20w, and the rears are probably under half that. You’re probably looking at 50w total, so swapping speakers won’t do much. You need a DSP, amp, and speakers if you want to accomplish anything.
I guess a car audio place might be able to give me input?
Least invasive fix, but not easy: line out converters for each speaker connector. They run to an amp and/or equalizer. The amp/eq runs to new aftermarket speakers. It’s a lot of wires, and removing the speakers can be a major PITA. This is your only option; I just checked Crutchfield, and there are no aftermarket stereos for the 2025 Equinox. Welcome to lousy OEM audio.
Thanks. Definitely not going to try that myself, but just curious about what I was up against.
For me, it depends on if I plan on keeping the car long-term. I can’t roll around long-term with crappy audio. It just doesn’t work for me, lol. I love wiring up stereos and speakers and amps; I make a whole weekend out of it.
I guess that’s a great skill for a Chevy owner 
I’m in denial that I did this to myself. I didn’t pay attention during the test drive and honestly didn’t think it could be bad. Now I’m hyper-focused on it every time I drive, and it makes me more mad.
Not Chevy specific. I’ve never had a car of any brand with good factory audio. Some are okay, but none I’d say are ‘good.’ When I replaced the speakers in my Volvo, I was amazed at how bad the factory ones were.
It’s the radio that’s the issue; it can’t be replaced. Changing the speakers won’t really make a difference.
I’ve watched a few reviews, and they all said the sound system sounds good for what it is. I don’t like that they don’t offer a premium audio system as an option, though.
I have a 2016 Chevy Trax LT with the premium upgrade, and it still has the lame Mylink head unit. If I hadn’t paid over $1000 for the Bose system, I’d have swapped in my old Alpine head unit and subs from my VW Beetle.