If you want decent stereo sound... then standard speakers are your best bet, not lifestyle based small speakers with a sub woofer, because you will lose the midrange frequencies. If you want 5.1 surround (which I am not sure you current PC will support without a soundcard upgrade) then we will have to start looking at other bits and peices and might have to think about upping the budget a tad if you still want some decent standmounts for normal stereo listening as well. As for active speakers... there is a bit of controversy developing in this section of the forums, so follow those threads to see what other people think, but personally, I think separates at the same price would out perform.... also, if you want to upgrade later, it will cost a lot, where as with separates, you can upgrade different components as you get the money saved up. I wouldn't buy actives.