Just bought my first BRZ, but want new speakers.
 

So I just bought my first BRZ and based on what I've heard from a good portion of the community is that the stock speakers are just "ok". My hope is to get some nice load clear sound, but I have no clue where to even begin. Any suggestions or links to guides?

You don't have to hear this from the community, just turn the speakers on and you'll understand why they're no bueno. I don't like them either, but I'm getting a new exhaust and header soon so not like I'll be able to take advantage of a good system anyways.

The speakers themselves are not the issue. It is the lack of any form of deadening behind or around them that is. They are working very hard at vibrating all the interior and exterior panels of the car instead of giving a quality sound.
Check this out:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28506

If you can afford the OEMAudioPlus.com have amazing speakers. I installed all of them in my car myself (with 0 mechanical ability - guide was super easy) and it sounds so good.

I've always used

https://www.crutchfield.com

They have a great selection, and they'll send you out everything you need to install them. Click on car stereo, put your car info in, and you're good to go. Good luck!

I went with Oem Audio plus. Love it. The stock speakers sounded like crap whenever I'd switch to my other car I'd notice it and hate them. I probably would not have made the upgrade if it were my only car as I'd have nothing to constantly keep comparing it to. But do you have a problem with the speakers? If not, you don't really need to change them out just because the internet says so.

What Tcoat said. Also it doesn't matter how expensive the speakers are if the signal is terrible. Our head unit is awful, an aftermarket one is mandatory, or an Audison BitOne, which you put in between the head unit and the speakers and it makes everything sound better. http://www.diymobileaudio.com/ is a great place to go for ideas and to see some crazy builds and things people do.