[NotSoSerious]

Yes, we're talking under >$40... This is my first (borderline) decent speaker, but I don't want to go too high too fast.... Any suggestions?
 
Something like this perhaps?
http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acoustics-Subwoofer-Satellite-CA-3602/dp/B0027VT6V4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
or maybe...
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-S220-Speaker-System-Subwoofer/dp/B000RQSGYO/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1332289299&sr=1-3
Perhaps...
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-A220-Multimedia-Speaker-System/dp/B003FWHTTA/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1332289506&sr=1-3
Sorry about this..

 

[Ksharp]

I wouldn't try to go 2.1 around your price point. Going 2.0 will get you better speakers.
 
A little out of your budget, but these could be an nice option at $58 free shipping. Size matters with speakers. May not include speaker wire.
 
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-650
 
 

 

[jackwess]

For $58 this is a no-brainer:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-650

 

[spoonstar]

Yeah, you would be really hard pressed to find something else at this price range that sounds decent. I wouldn't recommend anything else until about 3x the cost you mentioned.