Test MUSE M-238 BC, music in your bones without isolation

We often repeat this here: listen to music while cycling on route open remains prohibited and dangerous. But between safety and pleasure, there are interesting technological compromises. The MUSE M-238 BCThe first bone conduction headphones with an integrated MP3 player from the French brand MUSE are among them. Launched in October 2025 at less than 70 €It promises sporty and urban use, connected or completely autonomous, without ever blocking your ears. We have it testover several weeks in real-world conditions: running, indoor cycling and urban commuting…

By Jeff Tatard – Photos: ©Jeff Tatard

A well-established French brand

In addition, research since 2007 MUSE Photo Studio has carved out a solid reputation in consumer audioBehind it all is New One, a company from the Franche-Comté region of France that designs and distributes audio, video, and small household appliances in over 60 countries. The company has often distinguished itself for its design sense and its value for money. With the M-238 BCShe enters a new territory: that of the bone conduction, technology long reserved for a few specialized brands and the medical field.

What is bone conduction?

Rather than transmitting sound through the ear canal, Bone conduction sends vibrations directly through the bones of the skull., all the way to the inner ear.

Result: the ears remain free. You can hear the music but also the outside world: traffic, conversations, footsteps…

This dual functionality makes it an attractive solution for running or commuting in the city. And, incidentally, a very comfortable alternative for those who can't stand in-ear headphones.

A small route

The M-238 BC can be mastered in a few seconds. A long press to turn it on, another to activate Bluetooth, and the connection is instantaneous. In MP3 mode, simply drag and drop your files into the internal memory using the included USB cable – convenient for leaving your smartphone at home.

The silicone headband is flexible yet stable; it conforms to the head without being too tight. The transducers are positioned just in front of the ears.

Once you start wearing it, you almost forget you're wearing it.

On the field…

In running

This is where bone conduction shows its full potential. The headphones remain perfectly stable, even during changes of pace or fast descents. The sound is clear up to medium/high volume, and you can still hear ambient noise. On long rides, there's no overheating or discomfort: you can breathe, stay alert, and keep the music playing in the background without being cut off from the world.

On a home trainer

It's ideal for indoor use. : no blocked ears, no loud speakers waking up the whole house, and the freedom to listen to your playlist without a cableThe headset easily connects to Zwift, Spotify or YouTube via Bluetooth.

Swimming

We haven't "really" tested it underwater yet, but thanks to theIPX8 waterproofingWe'd be curious to see how it performs in a swimming pool… to definitively confirm that it can easily handle several lengths. In any case, having already… testEven in the shower, the support remains decent, so I'm eager to test it during turns or push-offs in an Olympic-sized pool. However, the initial impression in the bathroom is that the sound is somewhat less rich underwater, but to be honest, that's to be expected. enough to set the pace for an aquatic session.

Sound quality

The sound quality is honest and balanced.

This isn't hi-fi; bone conduction was never designed for that, but The rendering remains clear and pleasantThe voices come through clearly, the bass is present without excessive vibration, and the maximum volume is sufficient, even in a noisy environment.

The essentials are there: motivation, comfort and safety.

Autonomy and recharging

Autonomy actual as measured by the editorial staff 3bikes revolves around 5:45 am, slightly below the announced value but perfectly consistent. A full recharge takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. via standard USB.

A discreet LED indicator signals the end of the cycle.

Ergonomics

The physical controls are simple Volume +/-, play/pause, track change, and Bluetooth pairing. They are a bit small for use with gloves or underwater, but the logic is sound and they become intuitive to use after a couple of sessions.

Safety first

The M-238 BC is an interesting innovation.But we remind you:

listen to music while cycling on route Open surgery remains prohibited and dangerous, even with bone conduction.

This helmet is primarily aimed at runners, swimmers and indoor users (home trainer, treadmill, rowing machine).

On the other hand, for safe urban journeys or rides without traffic, it represents a smart compromise between pleasure and caution.

Verdict 3Bikes

At under €70, the MUSE M-238 BC pulls off a bold gamble. : to offer a versatile, waterproof and self-contained headset, both Bluetooth and MP3, for a wide range of sports use.

Simple, robust and well thought out, it demonstrates MUSE's expertise in consumer audio.

Whether running, on a stationary bike, or even in the water, it's a motivating and reliable companion. And even if the sound quality isn't quite up to par with traditional headphones, the comfort and freedom it provides more than make up for it.

Note 3Bikes : 4,5 / 5

A smart helmet, well designed, and above all consistent with our philosophy: performance, safety and the pleasure of sport.

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