Planar speaker (these are Maggie’s but the same applies for Martin Logan’s and others) like to have lots of room around them and nothing in between to interfere with their soundstage. If you have a big screen planted the same distance from the listening position as the speakers are, it’s over – for 2 channel audio sound staging any way, 5.1 music and home theatre is still cool (The most obvious difference between 2 channel audio and 5.1 home theatre).
For 2 channel sound staging, I suggest changing the location of the big screen from front and centre in the middle of the speakers imaging plane (a very common mishap) in favour of a wall mounted one behind them that could also possibly be covered in fabrics curtains (or not, I’d try both ways). With two mono block amplifiers, it’s possible to get your power amps out of the way as well.
I’ve applied these concepts with my room and Maggie’s in Canada to simply amazing effect. The sound staging is out of this world. it took a great deal of trial and error to get it there but so worth it! No amount of $$$ spent on amps, sources, or other such things will make that happen without the room placement and treatments being dialed in first.
And… The room doesn’t have to be dedicated and/or unfurnished to get there, it’s just easier that way. Moving a little furniture around and speaker placement got the effect I was looking for in my very compact room in Canada. Ok… Moving a lot of furniture around!