Rockford Fosgate PP15mm Punch Plug (photos)

The Rockford Fosgate PP15mm Punch Plug earphones are easy on the eyes and seem durable, but their so-so fit and sound quality make them fall flat in this price range.

Jasmine France

March 26, 2010 11:29 a.m. PT

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Josh Miller/CNET

One of the only gadgets Rockford Fosgate makes that isn't for automobiles is a new pair of in-ear headphones, the PP15mm Punch Plugs. This $99 pair of earphones features a stylish design and plenty of low-end oomph, though the sound distortions present during some tracks will likely scare away audio purists.

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Josh Miller/CNET

The style of the Punch Plugs earphones is a bit different from most others we've come across. Namely, the earpieces are comprised of round, plastic discs with an extra long aperture arm extending off of each one. As such, these will definitely not be the most comfortable option for those who don't want to stick something deep into the ear.

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Josh Miller/CNET

While we were able to get a secure fit, thanks in no small part to the variety of single and double-flange silicone tips, it wasn't the most comfy setup. However, the red and silver logo stamp on the outer disc of each piece does add a touch of style.

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Josh Miller/CNET

Keeping with their stylish bent, the Punch Plugs earphones have a flat, black ribbon cable descending from each earpiece and connecting at a red and black rubber accent junction. At the end is a reinforced, silver-plated straight plug that also features a bit of red accenting.

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Josh Miller/CNET

In fact, the overall look and design is pretty similar to the Beats by Dr. Dre Tour earphones. Along with the headphones, Rockford Fosgate packages a nice, hard-sided zippered case with two internal pockets.

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Josh Miller/CNET

Overall, music piped through the Punch Plugs sounds solid, though they failed to blow us away during testing. In other words, they sound about how you would expect for a hundred dollar pair. There's plenty of low-end for those who crave bass, but the downside is that this can lead to distortion for some tracks.