I suppose you've thought about some car stereo amps, a really cheap 2 channel amp might go as low as $50, unless you can find an open-box clearance type thing. Probably more $ than you're thinking though... I haven't ever found cheap good bookshelf speakers, no matter where I look. I'd like a decent set for my rear surrounds at home, and anything worth it's salt is about $100 a pair minimum. Yamaha makes some less expensive speakers that I thought were good for the price. Overkill for an alarm clock, but if you consider that this could be a nice second stereo, it could be easier to spend money on.

Interesting, wake up with the empeg, drive to work with it, lisen to it at work, drive home with it, and even go to bed next to it. Zany.