What type of speakers should buy, and how much should I buy them for?

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, would say that you HAVE to have more money. What you want is IMPOSSIBLE with $120. First of all, if you must have 5.1, they are right. In your price range, the first thing you can do to get sound to be smooth, loud, and bass-heavy is cut back on the number of speakers. Now that I've talked you into stereo, here are your options for what will give you the best sound, as specified by your criteria: 1) Klipsch Promedia 2.1: Self-powered, convenient, with great highs and a decent subwoofer. If your room is small enough, you will be VERY happy with these. And you can always buy more later. Start with one. Then hook a second one up as rears. And then if you want front and rear center channels for 6.1, you can buy a third one. $120, then $120, then $120. Works better than you might think. 2)(what I'd do): $120 can go VERY FAR if you are using analog cables from your ipod, TV, and computer, and are willing to go with USED equipment. REAL speakers and a REAL stereo... just... sound... better. Hit up garage sales, thrift stores, even pawn shops. Lift the stereo, lift the speakers. Weight is the best thing any audio component can possibly have. And when audio components don't have the genuine quality and are built strictly for profit, the one thing the manufacturer almost NEVER does is add weight to make it seem like a better product. And if they do, yup... it makes it a better product! You won't believe what kind of sound you can fill your small room with if you get a pair of used speakers and a decent, but old, stereo receiver, such as a Marantz(with a silver front). Oh and ignore watts. They don't mean a thing for what you are doing. It's all about how YOU think what YOU are buying SOUNDS. Good luck and happy listening.

Look into Altec Lansing or Logitech brand speaker systems. Any other brand of PC speakers are trash.

For around $120, you can get this Yamaha set of 5.1 speakers from amazon.com. The reviews look pretty good and its a good brand: http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NS-SP1800BL-5-1-Channel-Theater-Speaker/dp/B001AVRD62/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1305341595&sr=8-1 However, based on my personal experience, I've already tinkered with the lowest possible priced speakers out there and they aren't very good in that price range. Here is what I did instead, I saved up and spent around 500 and bought Polk Audio speakers, piece by piece from newegg.com. They have excellent build quality, a great warranty and a great price when you get them on sale with free shipping. Front Left and Right - Polk Monitor 40s Center - Polk CS2 Surrounds - Polk Monitor 30s Sub - Bic F12 (I don't recommend this sub, I'm replacing it with a HSU STF-2) The sound I get from these speakers are excellent and with full frequency response. Clarity and warmth from these speakers are great and they also have nice detailed imaging and depth. The difference between these speakers and the Yamaha set I posted are substantial and worth the investment if you watch a lot of movies. Hope this helps and good luck.

I wouldn't really go for logitech... they tend to be unimpressive in every respect. The cheapest I would go is $200 for a pair of AudioEngine A2 speakers. If you stretch your budget up there and save a bit, you will be very pleased. A pair of AudioEngines will last years and years, and sound great doing it. They're American made too! :D I'm not trying to say you can't get a decent set of speakers for your budget... I'm just saying that you should save up a bit to make your purchase lasting and worthwhile. I have had a pair of AudioEngine A2s for a little while now, and I expect to be using them in my first place as soon as I'm out of college, and for years to come. Good luck

First off your not going to get anything good for $120, and certainly anything that will play loud. Your best bet on a budget is a pair of self powered professional monitors, like those you can get at guitar center. They are designed for higher sound pressure levels, and have built in amplifiers that are designed to drive them properly. Used will certainly get you better speakers but you need to know what your looking for. Forget about surround sound, just get a pair of good stereo powered monitors as you'll be much happier with the results. and yes you can just plug in your ipod directly, with no other equipment needed. Kevin 40 years high end audio video specialist