1) Home Theatre System

TV Model - Panasonic 42LZ80MK (Full HD)
HD Projector - Optoma HD65 (720P)
Bluray Player - Samsung BD-P1500
Bluray Player - Sony Playstation 3
AV Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR875
Front Spkrs - Wharfedale 9.4
Centre Spkrs - Wharfedale CS
Surround L/R Spkrs - Wharfedale 9.1
Surround Rear Spkrs - Wharfedale 9.1
Subwoofer - Wharfedale SW150
Interconnects - Monster Cables THX S-video, Monster HDMI M1000HD cable & Monster Optical cable
Speaker Cables - QED XT SA
Subwoofer cable - QED SR-SW Silver Reference
HTiB - Yamaha DVR S100
Tuning/Calibration - Radioshack SPL Meter, Cars Bluray THX Calibration

2) Hi Fi System

Intergrated Amp - Yamaha AX497
CD Player - Yamaha CDX 497
Tuner - Yamaha TX497
Spkrs - Monitor Audio B4
Interconnects - QED Coax Interconnect
Speaker cable - QED XT SA

part of HT/HiFi Contingency Plan (HCP).

i would suggest for a beginner, just stick to your allowed budget. everybody has thier own preferences and for your case - you'll become more confuse. after couple of years, you'll know what you want.

very unusual - i'm using 4811 driving Wharfedale Diamond CS (centre) and 9.4 (front) at -8db. so far no issue at all. few things, you need to check.

1) Calibrate using Audyssey.
2) Set the speaker to 'small'.

mind asking - what's the cause? also with brand like B & W - shouldn't the dealers here do a '1-to-1' replacement, afterall it's still under warranty.