Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

I've been looking at speakers and PA systems, and none seem to grab 
my interest. Quite a predicament.

Should I get a power amp and a non-powered active speaker? Should I 
get a powered, active speaker and not worry about a seperate power 
amp? Should I just get a guitar amp? I honestly don't know. I'd need 
it for playing at houses and small venues...I wanted a floor monitor 
but none of them that I can find are powered. I'd have to get a power 
amp. Anyone know what I should do? Those of you that have speakers 
and such, what's a good speaker for a price cap of about $300. Don't 
need the most powerful thing in the world, but something with a nice 
kick to it. Need it to be able to produce those low end base and 
floor tom sounds. Just put in your input to help me out if you would. 
It'd be very, very helpful to me.