so if u're really into going to high end stage
i strongly suggest u to split ur budget and split ur plans into few phase

phase 1: a good HU, HU is the cd reader, a system sounds good or bad strongly depend on the HU quality.. not to be missed is the CD... some ppl like me... will put HU into the last phase...cos my current HU is adequate for me...so it's up to the user to determine whether it's needed to change so desperately or not... things to look at: RCA output, voltage, other function e.g. x-over, TA etc

phase 2: good pairs of comps.. comps are to be install for the front.. all the main details are coming out from this device...so like it anot...this is where i spend most of my money here... very much depend on ur future choice of amp, bcos a bright amp paired up with bright comps sounds awful... so choosing the corrent comps for now...and choosing the corrent amp for the future is important... it's a waste like me to change my comps twice bcos my upgrade of amp makes my system sounds more crappy... things to look at is: dome material, midbass performance, power requirement

phase 3. amp.. sound signal amplification...the parts of the amp will determine the sound characteristics... so choosing an amp to pair with ur comps is important...things to look at: RMS power at 4ohm, characteristic, class

phase 4. sub woofer... a meal without a dessert is something not good..same like a sub... it gives all the drum sounds an extend to the lower freq...a good sub is to be feel..not to be heard..a good sub is meant for the passenger...not to the pedestrians....a good sub can produce low freq.. no vocal shud be heard.. sub feel shud be feel at the front...not at the back...things to look at: 2/4/8ohm, power requirement, freq

overall cables is as important of any of the above 4, good cable wont oxidize fast... and will deliver all of the details... power cable ..4awg is a minimum requirement for the amp... an amp working at full power only can release the full potential of the speakers

in layman's term
bright comps shud be "tame" by warm amp
and bright amp shud be "tame" by warm comps

but all this is just a reference
most important is the user himself
if he likes the sounds of bright amp + bright comps like those in so call IASCA judges and winners
why not?

put sub...can....power up by an amp

can la
HU - xo - amp

if r going to the high end stage
look for HU which got high voltage, long lasting high end lens, functions e.g. TA, x-over

every HU sounds diff
so it's up to personal to choose which type suits ur taste

for me i will choose alpine or clarion or pioneer anytime
eclipse is just too dry for me