So heres the scoop. I would like to upgrade my stereo system but would like to KEEP the stock head unit (even though its no CD player) I have found some kenwood component speakers for the front with recessable tweeters. and was looking for some for the back. Now once i upgrade all the speakers would i have to get an amp to make them work? i want to eventually get an EQ but i need mo $$. Please help me out on my upgrade. Oh and wats the scoop on subwoofers and boxes? do they all need them? Im getting a fre 10 o 12" and dont wanna waste my trunk space. So please gimme all the information or links you can.

Thanks a bunch....

alright......so you are replacing your components well some will run without being pushed by another amp and some wont (or will sound like crap) it depends on the rms and the peak of the speakers you dont want the rms and peak to be really high if you are running stock amp.....but most sound better with an aftermarket amp.....now on to subs boxes are good to have on most subs unless you wanna go for a show set up.....the type of subs used without a box are called free air (not all subs are set up to handle this) and when you use free air you basically have to cut back the rms and peak to half of the original to not blow the speakers......i would suggest getting a box because its easier on the speakers and you will get more out of your system.....

Well the componet system i wanted to get is the Kenwood KFC-P503 RMS-8-50 watts and the sub comes with a box, have NO idea what brand. I own a Optimus 40 watt amp will that be enough for the sub? and where do i attach it? do i splice it into the rear speaker wires?
Thanks for putting up with my lack of knowledge, but now im learning..

yah those components would probably be ok running off the stock amp but you could use the amp you have to add more power....the sub will not run off of 40 watts cuz thats most likely way under the rms and thats hard on a sub if you run it that low and it wouldnt be that loud.......most subs are atleast 100 watt rms so you need to know the real rms of it and run somewhere around that....when hooking up the sub amp in the back you can tap off of the 6x9'* but to do that you need an line-converter which takes the high level of the already amped back speakers and brings it down to a safe level to hook up your amp and changes the the line to rca output so its easier to run wires from, if you do this you wanna get a line converter with a gain **** so that you can adjust it these line-converters are not expensive......another way is to run the wires directly to the back of your head unit but you have to know what you are wireing because there isnt just a RCA output on the back and of coarse you have to take apart the dash and everything too....

the thing is if you are gunna keep the factory deck you will have to highwire the amp..and you have to make sure the amp has that...most i think do...but i have seen one that doesnt...so have fun with that...anyways good luck

Highwire it?

well if you mean that the line level is too high for the amp thats what a line-converter does it takes the line which is high and converts it to low level rca

So are you looking for this type of room in your trunk or more?? I have good space on the trunk.. atleast enough to hold a full dufflebag and a 24 pack of uhmm ....Pop

Lol, i use most of my 18cu/ft as it is, i donno if i can survive long with a sub box in there, but i can take it out so it would be fun...

You could built it into the corner opposite of the jack too. When he said hi wire it, he means you'd have to run your speaker output from the factory deck into a 4 way amp. That would convert it and then send it out as amplified power. Nearly all compontent speakers are power hungry, and once you hear them on an amp you'll never go back. Using the line level out of the speaker leads doesn't give you the best sound, using Pre-outs is much better, but you don't have/want and aftermarket head unit so thats out. You might as well try them out with the normal head unit. If it'* good enough for you thats great. If you think they could use more (they will) then find a 4 way amp with about 30-50w RMS a channel, and make sure it has high level (speaker leads) in.