He's right, you don't need them but he's also wrong, upgrading them will not ruin your sound.

I did my stereo upgrade in 2 phases. Phase 1 I did not replace my rear speakers or HU. I installed Focal's in the front, added an amp and a 10" sub. What you really don't want to do is use the factory location for your sub. It's just not an optimal location. I had a custom sub enclosure made that fits under the strut brace (you can also buy these online). The factory location is perfect for your amps & other components.

The other key thing to remember is the tweeter location. Again, the factory spot just doesn't cut it. It's to far away from the mid's. You can mount the tweets in the same location as the mid's in the door & keep them stealth or mod the door panels for them.

Phase II I did replace my rear speaks with just some nice Focal Coax speakers and a seperate amp to drive them plus my Sub as well as a new HU. Since rears are basically for fill you hardly even know they're there. Maybe I'm just "old School" (or maybe just old) but I think the rears add just enough "fill" to be of some benifit.My installer (Big-Al @ AudioMobile) agrees you don't need rears but his car system makes up for it by having a boat load of fronts (8 I believe). If I could afford 15k to spend on my sound system I'd do it his way. I've already spent close to 7k (includes my nav & dvd) but I think my wifes tollerance level is peaking. Although she loves the sound.

 

+1 !!!!!!!!

this page should help: http://www.sounddomain.com/memberpage/799914/5

 

Good article. I guess I'm more focused on Clarity than trying to produce true reproduction type sound. I hate distortion more than anything. I guess I'll try fading out my rears for a while & see if I notice improvement.

 

Man I'm confused about the rear speakers. I'm getting ready to upgrade my sound and I don't want to waste my money. But when you say "rear speaker" is that the speaker behind the seat like the glove compartment or the speaker behind the seat at head level. I'm confusing myself now...

 

The 2 at head level behind the driver & passenger seat. The 1 behing the driver seat at about back level is the factory sub location which shouldn't be used for a sub at all if your upgrading. But it is a great spot for your amp(s).