I use a standard, small stereo amp from Radio Shack . . . about $30. Then I got a set of KLH speakers with sub-woofer from Costco for $75. Hooked it up to my sound card and it rivals a Bose system for sound quality.
I find that whenever things are gray or beige, and sold in computer stores, you get much less for your money. For good sound use real sound equipment. A used Advent system is better than anything sold for computer use, and costs less.
Good sound equipment has been around a couple of decades longer than computer sound stuff.
If you really want a soundgasm, connect up to a set of big outdoor bins.
