Sony unveiled its latest soundbar system this week, and it may be perfect for those who want to keep their home theater setup free of unnecessary cables Sony's HT-S40R is a full 51 surround sound kit, consisting of a soundbar, subwoofer, and dual rear satellite speakers, all connected to each other wirelessly

Additionally, the soundbar can be connected wirelessly to a compatible Sony Bravia Smart TV Most sound systems require an HDMI or optical connection to the source device, such as a TV or game console So for fans of clean living room aesthetics and those who want an easier setup, this wireless capability could give the HT-S40R an edge over even the best soundbars

Satellite speakers use mains power, but are otherwise wireless They connect to a wireless amplifier that communicates with the soundbar and subwoofer, so there is no need to run additional cables above the floor The satellite speakers, wireless amplifier, and soundbar can all be wall-mounted

Despite its emphasis on wireless, the HT-S40R also offers a variety of physical connectivity options: an HDMI ARC port, optical input, analog input, and USB port to play music from a flash drive; the HT-S40R also supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing playback from cell phones and laptops [The system's total output power is 600W, and while it does not support Dolby Atmos, the HT-S40R is quite reasonably priced for a full 51-channel kit with this much power

Pricing and availability in the US has not yet been revealed, but when the system begins shipping in the UK and throughout Europe in May, the system will cost £350/€400 This is roughly equivalent to $500, less than the price of standalone soundbars like the Bose Soundbar 500 and Sonos Arc