Greetings.

[Nightspirit]

Hello everyone I just joined. I bought a 2020 Equinox with 26,000 miles on it. I'm pretty happy with it, but the base stereo sounds like a$$ to me. So I'm initially here looking for ways to improve the sound.

 

[Hey Vern!]

Welcome to the group! The base system is not great.

 

[flynhghr]

Welcome nightspirit! To be totally honest you'll enjoy a really good bluetooth portable and it's cheaper than going the customized car stereo route. The Equinox is NOT known as a long lived vehicle so customized audio equipment is a waste. Plus you can simply move it to your next whip...

I've spent more money keeping my '14 running than anyone I know and I'm blessed that it's survived 310k miles.

In the Midwest area an AWD vehicle that gets 30 or more MPG is like a briefcase of gold.

What's your primary goal to improve your ride?

 

[Nightspirit]

Welcome nightspirit! To be totally honest you'll enjoy a really good bluetooth portable and it's cheaper than going the customized car stereo route. The Equinox is NOT known as a long lived vehicle so customized audio equipment is a waste. Plus you can simply move it to your next whip...

I've spent more money keeping my '14 running than anyone I know and I'm blessed that it's survived 310k miles.

In the Midwest area an AWD vehicle that gets 30 or more MPG is like a briefcase of gold.

What's your primary goal to improve your ride?

I'm at least hoping to get 200,000 miles out of mine. I'm coming from a 2014 Captiva with 160,000 miles on it and is now my wife's car as she loves it. I'm not look for a kick butt stereo system, it's just this one sounds harsh at times, almost distorted. I'm looking for small upgrades, like speakers maybe, to smooth it out a bit. My old Captiva's stereo sounds great. I know Infotainment, the company that makes the radio, has an upgrade to one with more features. It will gave you an HD radio, and factory navigation, but no information on whether the sound will be improved. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Nightspirit]

Welcome to the group! The base system is not great.

Thanks for replying. Yeah that system is rough around the edges. The sound is at times crunchy, almost distorted. Except for speakers, even Crutchfield doesn't have an upgrade for it.

 

[flynhghr]

I'm at least hoping to get 200,000 miles out of mine. I'm coming from a 2014 Captiva with 160,000 miles on it and is now my wife's car as she loves it. I'm not look for a kick butt stereo system, it's just this one sounds harsh at times, almost distorted. I'm looking for small upgrades, like speakers maybe, to smooth it out a bit. My old Captiva's stereo sounds great. I know Infotainment, the company that makes the radio, has an upgrade to one with more features. It will gave you an HD radio, and factory navigation, but no information on whether the sound will be improved. Thanks for your reply.

I have to ask, how many miles? Not just curiosity but in those years GM didn't really figure out how to keep the heart beating. The best bet is quality synthetic oil and change it every 4-5k despite what the dash says. If it hasn't had the timing chain replaced do it AsAP!

The pay for play sound won't improve the ability of the speakers in your car to produce quality audio. You'd have to get quality replacements or a good bluetooth speaker. I'd check Newegg.com or other vendors for quality speakers. Most vendors will know your car's speaker mounts and offer better units.

 

[PoManNox]

Man that's low mileage for a 2020. That's a good find. Yes, the audio isn't awesome on my 2021 1.5T LT AWD either, however, it's going to remain good enough for my old ears. I pretty much only listen to the MuZak Sirius/XM provides anyway. I hate aftermarket electronics and the risk you take with the install if you can't DIY, so much, things have stayed OEM only for me for years now.

If I could offer some suggestions for your 2020, is I would do 2 transmission fluid drain/fills ASAP and try to shoot for engine oil changes for 4-5K miles. Don't exceed that.

 

[flynhghr]

I'm at least hoping to get 200,000 miles out of mine. I'm coming from a 2014 Captiva with 160,000 miles on it and is now my wife's car as she loves it. I'm not look for a kick butt stereo system, it's just this one sounds harsh at times, almost distorted. I'm looking for small upgrades, like speakers maybe, to smooth it out a bit. My old Captiva's stereo sounds great. I know Infotainment, the company that makes the radio, has an upgrade to one with more features. It will gave you an HD radio, and factory navigation, but no information on whether the sound will be improved. Thanks for your reply.

You could probably try some speakers without changing the head unit, but I wouldn't expect wonders. I've been happy with my '14s sound system but I'm no audiophile... I don't know what the newer motors are like, but my 2.4 ecotec had some pretty important maintenance to be done at around 120k. I waited until 160 k thinking like a dummy and had to buy a whole new head. Thankfully I didn't grenade the entire top end by having the timing chain go out, but it's tensioner broke off and the mounting spot in the head rounded out. (never noticed a difference in engine noise, figure that out!) Plus they're notorious for blowby oil ruining the catalytic converters. Happened to me twice now.

Good luck and long life to your an yours!