Shoutbox

I have been using my laptop on my new lcd tv lately just for watching movies and playing some games etc connected using s-video. this works great. I also want to play music from my playlists through better speakers than the laptop speakers.

I am therefore after a better solution for audio. currently i am using a little 1-to-2 plug that plugs into the headphone port and then has two female plugs for male AV (red and white) plugs to connect to. then other end then goes into the back of my stereo for AV-input. I can then put my stereo on AUX and play the laptop sound. this unfortunately is not that great quality.
Can anyone suggest another method or what i would have to buy to be able to play the sound from my laptop through better speakers (could possibly be a surround sound setup for my tv that im planning on getting). Im sure this is possible i am just not too sure how to go about it?

Thanks everyone