V-Moda Vibrato Remote earphones (photos)

The $129 V-Moda Vibrato Remote offers plenty of thump, a slick and durable design with a built-in mic and remote for use with the iPhone and iPod, and a unique plug housing that's designed to withstand wear and tear.

The set starts with a standard gold-plated plug, which is encased in a modified L-shaped rubberized housing--it's reminiscent of a hose spray nozzle and seems more rugged than that of previous competitors. There's also an integrated remote and mic.

The earpieces themselves are a testament to V-Moda's commitment to stylish-yet-durable design. They're constructed from zinc alloy using a die-casting metal technology that not only gives them a geometric, jewelry-like style, but also makes them much sturdier than plastic 'buds.

The fabric around the cord is woven Kevlar, which gives us high hopes for the staying power of these earphones. However, one thing about all this durability is that it makes the Vibrato Remote earphones rather heavy on the whole.

V-Moda includes eight sets of color-coded silicone tips ranging from XS to L in size, so most people should find a good fit. The package also contains a leather pouch and a pair of "active flex" sport earhooks to keep the earphones secure during workouts.