Evesham’s M-Box comes as two distinctly separate components – the M-Box itself and an M-Bridge network music receiver – and also has two distinctly separate uses.

The M-Box part is an independent networkable storage device. It comes with both wired and wireless network connections, along with three USB sockets for attaching external storage devices, such as flash memory drives.

The unit we tested came with two 160Gb hard disks built into it. The device is available with larger capacities – up to twin 400Gb disks – but expect to pay more the bigger you go.

Only half the unit’s total capacity is available for storage. This is because the M-Box’s twin disks are set up to mirror each other, so that if one drive fails, all your media is still accessible from the other.

As such, the M-Box can be used as a simple yet effective backup solution.

As part of the package, Evesham includes a basic program for scheduling automatic daily or weekly backups of important files and folders on your computer.

You can also opt to use the M-Box as the default storage location for any files you consider ultra-precious, such as your digital photos, since the M-Box’s twin-disk system will keep them much safer than your PC would.

M-Box is also intended to be the central component of a media streaming setup.

The idea is that you set up iTunes on your computer to use the M-Box drive as the storage centre for its music library. That way, your PC doesn’t need to be switched on when you want to access your digital music over the network.

Used in conjunction with the supplied M-Bridge, you can stream your music around your home using either an existing wi-fi setup or the wireless capabilities of the M-Box itself.

The M-Bridge is effectively a re-branded Roku Soundbridge M1000. The Soundbridge happens to be one of our favourite wireless digital music and internet radio streaming devices – which is lucky, since the M-Box isn’t currently compatible with any other network players.

The M-Box’s asking price includes one M-Bridge, but more can be purchased separately at £149 each.

The M-Box/M-Bridge combo is not without its fair share of failings. It’s not the easiest of systems to set up, for a start.

Also, streaming is limited to music (so no video or photo) and it’s subject to the usual DRM problems, which means that you can’t stream protected music you have purchased online.

The M-Box unit is also a little noisy, thanks to its fan-based cooling system, and it’s not particularly handsome, either. If you can overlook these issues and aren’t put off by the relatively high price tag, the M-Box is actually an extremely useful dual-purpose device.

Related reviews 
Sonos Digital Music System 
Unbelievably good in every integral aspect but too expensive to win our top award.
Rating: 4
Price: From £668