It really does not matter how good someone thinks their TV speakers are, the fact is they are all poor quality compaired to a seperate center channel speaker. Its just better to cough up the extra cash.
On that budget (or any budget) I would go with Klipsch. He can get 2 RB-15 (L/R)$299 pr 1 RC-25 (C) $279 EA 2- RS-25 (Rear Surrounds) $199 EA and 1 RW-10 (Sub) $500...grand total for this great system $1476... The value for the quality can not be beat!