Hey Everyone,

I'm planning on upgrading my soundsystem in my '10 MCS (with aftermarket parts). I've been doing some online research (as I'm new to the scene) and I think I've got a lot of the basics. I have some more specific questions though that I'm hoping you might be able to help me with.

So ideally I'd like to upgrade all 6 of my speakers, according to another thread that would be these:

6 loudspeakers
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers in front, 100 mm [~4 inch]
• 2 bass loudspeakers in front, 150 mm [~6 inch]
• 2 bass loudspeakers in rear, 6 x 9"

And I'd like to add a 10" sub in the trunk. I'be been looking at amps and am leaning toward a 5 channel amp to take care of the speakers and sub. It sounds like it's definitely possible to drive those 6 speakers off of 4 channels, but I'm wondering how feasible it is (in terms of audio quality, how much strain it will put on my car, how easy it will be for a beginner, etc.).

I remember reading about the integral audio setup and I think the soundstage system actually leaves the rear 6x9's alone, claiming that the affect upgrading them would have on the system would be minimal - is this really the case? If so, would it be an OK idea (sound wise) to run my 4 front speakers (in the doors) off of the amp (1 channel per speaker), leave the 6x9's powered by the head unit, and power the sub with the 5th channel of the amp? If this sounds like a good idea I might be leaning towards it just to keep all the wiring as simple as possible. Or is running all 6 off of 4 channels trivial and I should just do that?

One other thing, can you mix impedances? Like if I have 4 speakers that are 4 ohms each (each with own channel) and a sub that is 2 ohms, and an amp that can handle down to 2 ohms, will they all play well together?

Thanks in advance!

Brian