We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-19 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired, retro-styled pair with a see-through shell and no battery to think about, choose Koss CL/80; if you need wireless freedom, a built-in mic and up to 25 hours of playback with FM radio and SD-card listening, choose PODERIX PDBEAM.
• Koss CL/80 — biggest strength: A transparent, 90s-inspired over-ear design with a 3.5mm plug that never needs charging and works with virtually any wired device.
• Koss CL/80 — biggest trade-off: It's wired only, so you're tethered to a 6-foot cord with no Bluetooth, mic or battery.
• PODERIX PDBEAM — biggest strength: Bluetooth 5.4 wireless with a mic, up to 25 hours of playtime, FM radio and micro SD card playback.
• PODERIX PDBEAM — biggest trade-off: No 3.5mm jack at all, so once the battery runs down you'll need to recharge before listening again.
• Who Koss CL/80 is for: Listeners who want a lightweight, corded pair for laptops, tablets and gaming devices with a distinctive look.
• Who PODERIX PDBEAM is for: Travelers, commuters and gym-goers who want cable-free listening, hands-free calls and extra playback modes.
The Koss CL/80 leans hard into a specific personality: retro. From the headband down to the cord, the whole thing is built in a clear, transparent plastic that lets you see the internals. That's a look you either love or shrug at, but it's undeniably the point of this model. Underneath the styling, it's a straightforward over-ear headphone with 40mm dynamic drivers, a frequency response of 16 Hz to 22,000 Hz, 60-ohm impedance and 101 dB sensitivity. In plain terms, that's a design that reaches deep into the bass and stays crisp up top, and the impedance figure means it can handle a bit more power than a typical cheap earbud without falling apart.
What really sets it apart is the simplicity. There's no pairing, no charging, no firmware, no app. You plug the 3.5mm jack into a laptop, tablet or gaming device and it just works. The 6-foot cord is long enough to move around a desk or couch, and the plush leatherette cushions and adjustable padded headband are built around comfort over long sessions. Koss also rates it with a limited lifetime warranty, which tells you something about how the brand views the durability of this design.
Who should buy it? If you want a lightweight, distinctive over-ear headphone for wired devices — schoolwork, desktop listening, gaming, editing audio, or just a pair that lives permanently plugged into a laptop — the CL/80 fits that job neatly. The clear shell makes it a fun pick for teens and adults alike, and the kid-to-adult age range means it isn't pigeonholed.
Who should skip it? Anyone who wants to walk around untethered, take calls, or listen while their phone charges. There's no Bluetooth, no microphone, and nothing onboard to power. If a cable bothers you, this isn't your headphone. I'd also steer away if you need active noise cancellation — the CL/80 offers sound isolation only, which comes down to how well the cushions seal around your ears.
The PODERIX PDBEAM is the opposite philosophy. It's a Bluetooth 5.4 over-ear headphone with a built-in mic, and it's clearly designed for people who want to move. The headline number is battery life: up to 25 hours of playtime and up to 120 hours of standby on a single charge. For a traveler, that's the difference between charging once on a long trip and hunting for an outlet every night.
Beyond Bluetooth, PODERIX adds two features that are genuinely uncommon at this tier. First, a built-in FM radio mode, which gives you live stations without burning phone data or battery on streaming. Second, micro SD card playback, which lets you load music onto a card and listen device-free — handy if you want to save your phone's battery or reduce screen time. The wireless range is rated at 10 meters, so you can leave your phone on a desk or in a bag and still move around the room.
Comfort is another stated priority. The PDBEAM uses an adjustable headband and soft memory protein ear cushions, and the whole thing weighs 7.2 ounces, so it's built for extended wear. The apricot/cream shell with grey fabric carrying case gives it a softer, more fashion-forward look than the usual black plastic. Controls are push-button with volume adjustment and a voice control option, so you're managing playback with physical buttons rather than touch gestures.
For noise, the PDBEAM relies on passive noise cancellation — the same basic idea as the CL/80's sound isolation, just a different label. It blocks some ambient sound through the cushion seal, which helps on a plane or in an office, but it won't silence a jet engine the way active cancellation would.
Who should skip it? If you own devices without Bluetooth, or you simply prefer the reliability of a cable, the PDBEAM has no 3.5mm jack — a wired fallback isn't available. And if you want the retro aesthetic, this isn't that; it's a modern wireless design in a warm colorway.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for wired reliability → Koss CL/80. Plug-and-play with a 3.5mm jack and no battery to manage.
• Best for wireless freedom → PODERIX PDBEAM. Bluetooth 5.4 with a 10-meter range and a built-in mic for calls.
• Best for battery life → PODERIX PDBEAM. Up to 25 hours of playtime and 120 hours of standby.
• Best for distinctive looks → Koss CL/80. The fully transparent shell is the whole identity here.
• Best for extra listening modes → PODERIX PDBEAM. FM radio and micro SD playback go beyond standard Bluetooth.
• Best for long-session comfort → Both, for different reasons. The CL/80 uses plush leatherette cushions; the PDBEAM uses memory protein cushions with an adjustable headband.
• Best for travel and the gym → PODERIX PDBEAM. Wireless, foldable, with a fabric carrying case included.
• Best for laptops, desktops and gaming → Koss CL/80. A 6-foot cord and universal 3.5mm plug suit stationary setups.
• Best if you hate charging → Koss CL/80. There's no battery at all.
If I had to pick one for myself, I'd take the PODERIX PDBEAM. In my opinion, the combination of Bluetooth 5.4, a built-in mic, up to 25 hours of playtime, FM radio and micro SD playback simply covers more of how I actually listen — moving around, taking calls, traveling. The Koss CL/80 is a genuinely charming, well-specified wired headphone, and I'd recommend it without hesitation to anyone who wants a corded pair with a retro look and zero charging. But for most people juggling a phone, a commute and a gym bag, the PDBEAM's wireless flexibility is the more useful package. Check the current price on Amazon before you decide, since that's the one variable I can't weigh in for you.
The PDBEAM is the more travel-friendly pick. It's wireless, foldable, weighs 7.2 ounces, ships with a fabric carrying case and offers up to 25 hours of playtime. The CL/80 is wired and better suited to a fixed spot like a laptop or seat-back setup.
No. The CL/80 is a wired headphone with a 3.5mm jack, a 6-foot cord and media controls on the remote. There's no Bluetooth and no microphone, so it isn't built for calls or cable-free listening.
No. The PDBEAM has no 3.5mm jack — it's Bluetooth 5.4 only, with a 10-meter wireless range. If you want a wired option, the CL/80 is the one to choose.
Both rely on passive methods rather than active cancellation. The CL/80 lists sound isolation, and the PDBEAM lists passive noise cancellation. In practice, both depend on how well the cushions seal around your ears, so neither is a true active noise-cancelling headphone.
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