Compression and limiting of audio

[freeradical]

Which would be better for reducing the dynamic range of audio from TV/Movie content? I'm not looking for anything expensive like compressors or limiters for musical instruments. I just want something that will allow me to listen to normal speech content in a show, while preventing music/special effects from blowing me away late at night.

I'm looking for something cheap to put between my audio switch box and my normal stereo line in. Not Dolby or surround sound or anything funny like that.

Any suggestions?

Thanks