Even in small living spaces, a smart integrator can squeeze in a high-performance A/V system.

If homeowners want it, builders want to provide it. That's how it works. And everybody wants to be hooked up with the latest audio/video equipment—even folks who live in small spaces.

It helps to get an integrator involved. When faced with the challenge of jamming a home theater into a 10-by-12-foot space, Boca Raton, Fla.-based American Systems Integrators (ASI) stepped up. The installers managed to squeeze in a fully functional home theater with a 37-inch Panasonic plasma monitor and 5.1-channel surround sound.

ASI hid an equipment rack in a side cabinet below the wet bar, providing plenty of room for the DVD player and surround sound receiver. In-ceiling Niles speakers—three of them—pump out sound. There's even a space-saving Polk in-ceiling subwoofer. And it's all controlled by a Harmony remote.

Art Reiman of ASI says the biggest challenge in working with small spaces is making sure the seats are far enough away from the video display. This particular room is an open loft area, which made acoustics a major consideration.

In the end, though, says Reiman, visitors seem to think this small room seems much larger now.