Basically, in the $250 range, what you want is any of these combinations..

Preamplifier + 2 channel amplifier + 2 passive bookshelf speakers

or

Integrated amplifier + 2 passive bookshelf speakers

or

2 active bookshelf speakers

or

2 active bookshelf speakers + an active bass module

for this budget, we are still within the realm of "Bass modules" and not quite into the realm of true "subwoofers"...

This means that we could get some multimedia speakers, some hi fi bookshelf speakers and an amplifier, some pro studio monitors... anything really. Whatever strikes your fancy and your budget... all categories are good for music and have good offerings, depending on where you look, how hard you look, and whether or not you are interested in things like buying used...