Bostons are actually pretty nice. For a budget system, I'd skip towers (either boston or the Elacs), go with bookshelf speakers and put the difference toward a better sub. Sub in most packaged systems tends to be a waste of time.
You could probably put together a good setup in that range at
www.ascendacoustics.com
Packaged system, CBM170SE mains, CMT340 center, HTM200 surrounds came in at ~$800. Then fill in with a budget sub (HSU VTF-1 or VTF-2) and AVR from AC4L in Afterlife2's post and you're good.