I think you're right.It would make sense if you are replacing the radio that you would lose it. I thought I had read in one of the threads or on Crutchfield that it had a way to keep it, but it was pretty confusing.

 

I have 1 set of these speakers, but now I'm thinking of adding them to the rear deck instead. And maybe some Polk Audio components up front.

 

They also make adapter plates than allow you to put a speaker and seprate tweeter from a component set in the stock location. The kenwood plate speakers did have great reviews, but a true component set would probably sound better. Either way you will be limiting any new set you put in if you don't amp them.

Here is the bracket I was talking about:
http://www.qualitymobilevideo.com/82...iWoaAh6n8P8HAQ

 

I would. A good set of separates will give you a broader sound stage. What stereo do you have? Are you going to be amping them?

 

I realize that but I'm happy enough with the factory setup that if I could just get better sound quality (clarity) up front and a little extra bass then I'd really like it. Plus the cool features of a Kenwood/Maestro combo (probably do non NAV since I have a Garmin and you can use NAV on phone with MHL cable) That's why I wasn't seriously considering component speakers. Speakers that top my list right now are:

Kenwood KFC-P680C or KFC-X683C
PolK DB571 or DXi571
Infinity X REF-8602cfx or Kappa 682.11
Focal IC570 or ISC 570

Last time I auditioned/purchased car speakers I bought the Infinity reference series and I thought they sounded awesome. Hoping I can find a local dealer to listen to most of these (and buy from if their prices are competitive). I'm guessing without a better external amp I probably won't be getting Kappa's and I'm sure I'll be fine with that.

I will probably leave the factory 8's for cost savings plus I want to keep the factory look.

 

Gotcha. Definitely go with what sounds/works best for you. If you already have the Shaker 500 that will help anyways since you have the factory amps. Without hearing them and looking at the reviews I would say the Focals or the Kenwood KFC-P680Cs, but again thats personal preference.

 

I have the shaker 500 without nav. Running my subwoofer and amp off of the line level out from the rear speakers.

Trying to research what's the better thing to do with a 4 ch amp:
1) Polk DB651 separates up front with tweeters in the A pillar, and those kenwood P680C in the rear deck and amp THOSE speakers, leaving the door subs alone.
2) Polk DB571 (2-way speakers) up front, and maybe the kicker drop in subwoofers, and amp those 4 speakers off of the 4 ch amp, leaving the rear deck stock.

I'm preferring to use components up front... So looking at some Polk options. Up in the air about the kicker door sub replacements. I know I need to amp them... But I don't know if a 4 ch amp is good enough? What ohms to look for in the amp.
Or maybe leave my stock subs in, and hope the dynamat will work!!!

 

I would defiantly go with the separates up front regardless. If you want the best sound here's what I would do.

Separates up front like you said. Kenwoods in back, running off the factory unit (you will not notice the gain from amping them unless you're sitting in the back lol). Get the Kickers and run them off the 4 ch. with the front components. You can definitely run the kickers off a 4ch. Just get one with decent power. Most 4ch amps are 4 ohm, which will work fine. For reference, I ran my entire system minus the subwoofer off of one 4ch. amp in my old car. Which was a component set, a 2 way set, and the aftermarket door subs. Granted the amp was pretty large haha.

Or if you don't want to buy new speakers you could leave the back stock, leave the kenwoods up front. Get the shelby woofers and run the fronts and woofers off of the 4ch. Just depends on how much you want to buy. The main thing is amp the fronts, the rears are not that important.