Semkarch CNT1 Review – Carbon Nanotubes For The Masses

Semkarch CNT1—mostly ignored at their original $95 SRP, the single dynamic CNT1 has garnered a rabid following when reduced to their blowout price of $35. Build is solid, altho the prominent seams look a bit downmarket. I love the sleek, smaller than typical design, which provides for snug fit and above-average, though not exceptional isolation; the included cable is of good quality although the ear guides are overly stiff and slightly awkward. Their 32ohm impedance notwithstanding, these are loud and easy to drive with a mobile, although they seem to gain some presence with more powerful sources. The included silicon tips seem to be a good pairing, and I didn’t notice much advantage from tiprolling.

Tonally, with the black filters, these register as slightly warm, generally smooth/laid back (as opposed to artificially energized), with moderate note thickness. While some have characterized these as basshead, I hear them as more V-shaped, which is to say that while the low end is deep and voluminous, it is not so exaggerated as to draw your focus. Bass is also extremely well-etched and free from bleed, while midrange is notably recessed and presented a few steps back from the front stage. Treble is surprisingly refined, with a nice, natural sounding transparency, good detail and a bit of sparkle; drum heads in particular are very accurately reproduced, with very fast decay—these have none of the metallic glare or stridency of most of the budget hybrids. The CNT1 remain coherent across the spectrum, without unnatural dips or spikes, although you do remain conscious of the de-emphasized mids, especially on female vocals and horns. 

 Changing to the gold filters altered the sound very significantly, to an almost balanced, noticeably brighter  signature—bass is markedly reduced and mids and treble push forward, which creates the perception of more highend extension and microdetail and more sparkle, but also sounds somewhat artificial and more like a cheap BA. I liked the black filters much better, which form the basis for the rest of this missive.

Soundstage is impressively wide, with excellent stereo imaging, but of limited depth and height—performers are separated accurately sound as if they are playing a large, low-ceilinged hall, and compared to peers like the 9Tail or IT01 these lack a bit of spaciousness and air. 

Compared to good $35 players like KZ ZS7, CCA C10 or TRN V80, the Semkarch are on a higher plateau, with a much more natural tonality than the KZ, better bass control than the CCA and much less overdone treble than the V80. (The BQEYZ BQ3 actually compares favorably sonically, with fleshier midrange and equally impressive coherence, although the CNT1 is much more ergonomic, easier to drive and otherwise more user-friendly). Moving up to its original $100 weight class, the CNT1 yields certain aspects but isn’t necessarily overmatched overall—it has a comparable level of resolution and similar quality bass (though a less enveloping stage) as the 9Tail, more accurate treble than the IT01 and less detailed but more oomph and a less clinical quality than something like the Simgot EM2 or Hisenior B5+. The CNT1 cedes soundstage and midrange presence to the $180 Moondrop Kanas Pro but has more treble information and is actually otherwise fairly close in sound; the marginal differences are probably not cost-efficient for most folks. 

More and more I’m convinced that at least in the budget realm, well-realized single DDs like the CNT1 are a better pick than the multi-driver monstrosities flooding the market. To place these in context, as a $100 IEM these would rate a solid 4 stars. As a $35 IEM, however, these are an off-the-charts screaming bargain. Grab ‘em while they last.

Non-disclaimer—I bought these at the blowout price.