How do I get a speaker with the bass slam of my el cheapo ear buds...?

Speaker placement and room treatment.

@ m-db
Thanks.  Well, that's the problem, i.e., my recollection of having heard such speakers goes back over a long time period, even decades, so I'm not actually sure which speakers they were!  Hence my request for speaker suggestions. 

@kalali
Thanks for the tip.  The problem is that this is in my family room and the speakers can really only sit just about where they now are, due to furniture and door opening constraints.  As to room treatments, not much of that sort of thing is going to fly on the domestic front.  So, I have to look at the sound that various speakers make in this room, and possibly room correction software.  I just want that attack and bit of slam on the kick drum and other bass transients.

At this point, I'm thinking that speakers with at least 8" woofers may be the place to focus my research and listening on.

I'd try something like the Fiio A3 portable headphone amp to see if you like that presentation.  It's only $60 so it's low risk and a reasonable match for what you're trying to do.  You could use it in the house or the car.  

Amazon description:

• Suitable for headphones ranging from 16 to 150 Ohms. Gain switch for matching output to headphone power needs.
• Superior sound quality through expertly selected components and design, utilizing OPA1642 preamp and AD8397 amp section.
• Fully discrete bass boost circuit increases output by 3.5dB at 60Hz, with bypass when off.
• Handsome all aluminum body and chassis is sturdy and shielding against EM interference.
• 1400mAh internal battery powers for up to 16 hours of use.

@m-db 
Thank you for your understanding. 
@glupson 
Obviously I got same feeling as you did.