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We often say it here: listening to music while cycling on open roads is still prohibited and dangerous. But when it comes to balancing safety and enjoyment, there are some interesting technological solutions. The MUSE M-238 BC, the first bone-conduction headset with a built-in MP3 player from the French brand MUSE, is one of them. Launched in October 2025 for less than €70, it’s designed for both athletic and urban use—whether connected or completely standalone—without ever blocking your ears. We tested it for several weeks in real-world conditions: running, on a indoor trainer, and during urban commutes…
By Jeff Tatard – Photos: ©Jeff Tatard
A Well-Established French Brand
Since 2007, MUSE has built a solid reputation in consumer audio. Behind the brand is New One, a Franche-Comté-based company that designs and distributes audio, video, and small appliance products in more than 60 countries. The company has often stood out for its design sensibility and value for money. With the M-238 BC, it’s venturing into new territory: bone conduction, a 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 to the inner ear.
The result: your ears stay open—you can hear your tunes and the world around you—traffic, conversations, footsteps…
It’s this dual perception that makes it an appealing solution for running or urban commutes. And, incidentally, a very comfortable alternative for those who can’t stand in-ear headphones.
Technical Specifications
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Getting Started
The M-238 BC is ready to roll in just a few seconds. Press and hold to turn it on, press and hold again to activate Bluetooth, and it connects instantly. In MP3 mode, simply transfer your files to the internal memory using the included USB cable—handy for leaving your smartphone at home.
The silicone headband is flexible yet stable; it fits snugly without feeling tight. The transducers sit just in front of your ears. Once you start using them, you’ll almost forget you’re wearing them.
Out on the road…
Running
This is where bone conduction really shines. The headphones stay perfectly secure, even during changes in pace or fast descents. The sound stays clear up to medium-high volumes, and you can still hear ambient noise. On long rides, there’s no overheating or discomfort: you can breathe easily, stay alert, and keep the music playing in the background without losing touch with the world.
On an indoor trainer
Indoors, this is the ideal use: no blocked ears, no speakers waking up the whole house, and the freedom to listen to your playlist wirelessly. The headphones connect easily to Zwift, Spotify, or YouTube via Bluetooth.
Swimming
We haven’t “really” tested it underwater yet, but thanks to its IPX8 water resistance, we’re curious to see how it performs in the pool… to definitively confirm that it can easily handle several laps. In any case, having already tested it in the shower, the fit remains secure, so we’re eager to see how it holds up during turns or pushes in an Olympic-sized pool. On the other hand, our first impression in the bathroom was that the sound is still a bit less rich underwater, but to be honest, it’s—as we’d expect—good enough to set the pace for a workout in the water.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is decent and balanced. It’s not hi-fi—bone conduction was never designed for that—but the sound remains clear and pleasant. 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.
Battery Life and Charging
The actual battery life measured by the 3bikes editorial team is around 5 hours and 45 minutes, slightly below the advertised figure but perfectly consistent. A full charge takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes via standard USB. A discreet LED indicator signals when the charging cycle is complete.
Ergonomics
The physical controls are simple: volume +/–, play/pause, track selection, and Bluetooth pairing. They’re a bit small for use with gloves or underwater, but the layout makes sense and becomes intuitive after just a couple of uses.
Safety First
The M-238 BC is an interesting innovation, but we must remind you: listening to music while cycling on open roads remains prohibited and dangerous, even with bone conduction.
This headset is primarily intended for runners, swimmers, and indoor users (home trainers, treadmills, rowing machines). However, for safe urban commutes or rides on traffic-free routes, it offers a smart balance between enjoyment and safety.
Pros and cons according to 3bikesPros
Cons:
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3Bikes Verdict
At under €70, the MUSE M-238 BC pulls off a bold feat: offering a versatile, waterproof, and self-contained headset—with both Bluetooth and MP3 capabilities—for a wide range of sports activities.
Simple, sturdy and well designed, it showcases MUSE’s expertise in consumer audio.
Whether you’re running, on a indoor trainer, or even in the water, it’s a motivating and reliable companion. And even if the sound quality falls short of a traditional headset, the comfort and freedom it provides more than make up for it.
3Bikes rating: 4.5 / 5 A smart, well-designed headset that, above all, aligns with our philosophy: performance, safety, and the joy of sports.
The MUSE M-238 BC at a glance…Pros: effective bone conduction, built-in MP3 player (4 GB), Bluetooth, open-ear, 6-hour battery life, IPX8 water resistance, very affordable price. Cons: Decent sound quality but not hi-fi, small controls, simple navigation, non-folding headband, not recommended for road use. Technology: Stereo bone conduction – Connectivity: Bluetooth + internal MP3 – Memory: 4 GB – Battery life: 6 hours – Water resistance: IPX8 (3 m) – Weight: approx. 30 g – Retail price: < 70 € – Recommended uses: running, swimming, indoor trainer, quiet urban commutes Contact: muse-europe.com |
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