Home audio & video: Best new multi-purpose (computer) speakers?

You are correct

computer speakers for the most part are not so great sounding and regular speakers need amplification. Audio Engine is one company that tries to bridge the gap between quality sound and powered speakers however:

http://www.audioengineusa.com/a5_home.php

Do a google search with the speaker names and the word "review" and you'll see what I mean. You could start with a pair of the AE5's and eventually add a powered subwoofer and you'd have a pretty room filling system.

Or you could build a system over time that can grow with you. You could start with an entry level amp and add some bookshelf speakers from an Internet direct company like Energy speakers or SVS and save up for a sub woofer to make a 2.1 system:

http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/
http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

Unfortunately I the shipping shipping to the UK won't be free so perhaps it might be better to go to a hi-fi shop or electronics store and look at the entry level options. Or there might be an internet direct company in the UK of which I am unaware.

An airport express will feed music wirelessly to either the powered speakers or the receiver.