Semkarch CNT1

source for the review - Sabaj DA3 (from the balanced out)

Songs used for the review
Coltsblood - Return To The Lake Of Madness
Belzebong - Sonic Scapes & Weedy Grooves (album)
Boards Of Canada - Kid For Today
Squarepusher - Ultravisitor
Squarepusher - Tundra4
Squarepusher - Plotinus
Photek - Modus Operandi
Nocow - Mist
Yosi Horikawa - Wandering
Yosi Horikawa - Interlude
Hans Zimmer - Why do we fall
Hans Zimmer - Gotham's Reckoning
Macc & dgoHn - Long Tall Sally
Audiomachine - Forgive Us Our Trespasses
Bassnectar - Timestretch
Marcin Przybylowicz - Mystery Man
Bat For Lashes - Rest Your Head
Wydron - Third Gate
Balkansky - Sundown
Paradox - A Funky Mule



Jim Keltner - Improvisation
Eric Clapton - My father's Eyes
Nah Youn Sun - My Favorite Things
Inception - Dream Collapsing
Steve Strauss - Youngstown
Stimulus Timbre - Expression
The DALI CD - Zhao Cong , Moonlight on Spring River
Rebecca Pidgeon - Grandmother
Hans Zimmer - Dream Is Collapsing
Hans Zimmer - Molossus
Harry Gregson - Emergency Launch
Shpongle - Shpongle Spores
Dizzy Gillespie - Could it Be You
Dominik Eulberg - Bjorn Borkenkafer
Trentemoller - The Forest
Kryptic Minds And Leon Switch - Ocean Blue
Jed Palmer - Upgrade (2018)(Album)
Plug_-_Drum_'N'_Bass_For_Papa-2CD-1997-FLAC(Album)
Jon Hopkins - Insides (2009)(Album)Eric Serra - Lucy (2014) [flac](Album)

specs

• Driver: CNT Dynamic driver
• Sensivity:108±1Db
• Impedance：32ohm
• Frequency range:10Hz-26000Hz
• THD: <0.2%
• Rated power:5mW
• Plug:3.5mm gold-plated
• Cable length:120cm
• Black filters : 3khz-10khz+2db
• Gold filters : 3khz-10khz-2db

My first headphone was the Sennheiser HD598, i was using speakers before that with subwoofers, two units, each for every channel. I was enjoying the HD598 for vocals.
I needed something similar to my speaker setup because i was living in apartment at that time and there was some complains from the neighbors about the bass traveling through the walls.
I was reading in the basshead thread and there was one recommendation that i was able to find for good price at that time - M Audio Studiophile Q40.
The requirement for that headphone to have powerful bass and good comfort at the same time was simple, just change the pads and ad bass EQ, as much as you want.
When i got the CNT1 the first impression was not positive, so i changed the black filter with the gold one and let them play. To my surprise after a couple of hours the first thing that i though was - "that is Q40 in IEM form"

Build, fit and comfort

They are made from metal, the build is solid but some reports of bad QC units exist.
it was hard for me to get a good fit with the stock tips, the gray tips from one of my Blon BL03 units did the job just fine
the cable is stiff and unusable for me, i use 16 core balanced cable

Isolation
the isolation is very good, surprising and unexpected

Overall sound signature.
they sound like a U shaped to me, but the dip in the mids is in the upper part

the bass part i will give impressions without and with EQ

Bass
(without EQ)
The bass stock without corrections is mid bass boosted, the sub bass is there but lower in level compared to the mid bass. The bass after burn in have impressive control and speed, on my source it is very tight and quick, the driver is very well damped but is not suffering from bad dynamic range, it has good dynamics but is a bit lacking in the sub bass department (similar to the Q40 uncorrected). I was very curious if it will retain the control and dynamics when EQd.

(with EQ correction)


That is basically my EQ correction, lowering the mid bass and boosting the sub bass.
With that the sub bass is significantly more and lowering the mid bass gives the bass tonality much cleaner profile.
The bass impact is dramatic and very dynamic, it jumps at you with the right song retaining the amazing control and tightness, with high volume listening with heavy music like Doom metal the kick drums are snappy and punchy, the rumble is quick and powerful with very good texture. Overall the bass is amazing to me, very enjoyable and fun.

Mids
The midrange is one step back in the whole signature but only the upper mids, mid and lower midrange is there so the tonality is somewhat warm and full but not overly so. For vocal music they are good but not very good.
The midrange sound like is a little bit constricted, the dynamic range is not very good in that area and is not very open. The tonality is very good but is a bit compressed sounding. They are not my choice for Amber Rubarth.

Treble
The treble response have some sparkle in the mid treble, before that there is a dip, after the mid treble is starting to roll of.The extension is average, the detail retrieval is good but the tonality of the treble is with a bit of grain to it.
The treble is not particularly smooth, they are not harsh or sibilant but the tone has a bit of sizzle.
Not the most refined treble but it is good overall.

Soundstage and imaging.
the soundstage size is average, nothing special here, the imaging i find to be very good, it has good positioning and the drivers are able to keep everything under control even on high volume listening

Conclusion
Bass is the reason why i like them so much, that is the reason for the high rating
For critical listening they are not my first choice but for electronic music they are
for the original price of 95$ they are good, for under 50$ i will recommend them for sure
especially if you like to play with EQ a bit and enjoy snappy powerful bass response


Have a good one.

Disclaimer #1:
I bought the CNT1 from Ebay at my own expense.


Disclaimer #2:
The product insert for the CNT1 recommends 100 - 200 hours burn in. I thought the CNT1 sounded good out of the box, but nevertheless I have burnt it in for about 50 hours currently via listening. I honestly didn't hear much of a difference between the 0 hour mark and the 50 hours mark, but I will post any updates here if there are any changes subsequently beyond 100 hours.


Introduction:
The SKC CNT1 has been around for some time and had generally good reviews and a cult following. It was previously retailing at $95ish USD, but recently production has stopped and there was a fire sale of sorts on Aliexpress, Taobao and Ebay, with sets going as low as $28 - 35 USD. As of the time of writing this review, there are still some sets available on Aliexpress, Taobao, Ebay and Amazon.
I hesitated to get the CNT1 initially as I already had 2 single DD IEMs in the Toneking Ninetails and TFZ No.3, but I couldn't resist giving it a try at the fire sale prices.

At the time of writing, the current flavour of the month for CHIFI single DD IEMs is still the BLON BL-03 though, and I'm awaiting my set, but will post updates and comparisons here soon.


Specifications:
- Driver: CNT Dynamic driver
- Sensitivity: 108dB
- Cable: MMCX detachable cable
- Frequency response: 10Hz - 26kHz
- Impedence: 32Ω


Accessories:
In addition to the IEM, it comes with:
- Soft case
- Detachable 3.5 mm stock cable - very stiff and microphonic, I would say it is even worse than the usual budget KZ cables. I had to swap it out within a few minutes of use due to the microphonics.
- Multiple silicone tips
- Black and gold filters



The SKC CNT1 seen here with after market copper cables, as the stock cables were a no go for me due to the microphonics and stiffness.


Build/comfort:
The build is questionable in terms of QC. One side of the MMCX connector was extremely tight and I had difficulty connecting and removing various cables to that side. The seam in the middle of the IEM shell also makes it look a bit shabby. I read an account on headfi that one user's CNT1 shell fell apart at the seams too.

Otherwise the IEM is actually very small, ergonomic, comfortable and light. I can wear it for hours without issues. In fact I have fallen asleep with it in my ears on a few occasions.

I had some driver flex during insertion of the IEMs.


Isolation:
Above average compared to my other CHIFIs. I have tested it on the subway and buses and it manages to block out most noise once music is playing, though some subbass may be lost due to the incomplete isolation on the go.


Filters:
The filters do work and ain't gimicks.
a) Black filters - boosts the bass. My favourite filter as I'm a basshead but I would say it is just one level shy of true basshead levels.
b) Gold filters - makes the bass less pronounced, but does increase the treble and overall gives it a more neutralish tuning.


Sound:
I tested this with a Desktop -> Khadas Tone Board -> Fiio A3 and Ziku HK-X9. The CNT1 is quite easily drivable from smart phones but definitely scales better with a DAC/AMP. I didn't have any hiss with this IEM on laptops/PC/smartphones.

After tiprolling, I still found the stock tips to be the most suitable for me for isolation and comfort. I tested most of the 50 hours with the black filters on, so most of my impressions here are based on the black filter.

The CNT1 has a V shaped tuning, with recessed mids. I found the clarity and details to be good for a single DD driver, but it won't trump a dedicated multi BA/hybrid IEM in this aspect. Instrument separation is above average. I would say the CNT1 is quite an all rounder and suitable for most musical genres.


Bass:
As above, you can fine tune the bass quantity with filters, and with the black filters on, it is very typical of a well tuned DD driver, with good subbass extension and displacement of air. Bass is punchy and fast for a DD bass and hits hard in the midbass. Subbass has a slight roll off compared to midbass. It has good timbre and quantity and quality, but is just a level or two shy of jaw rattling basshead levels. I noted that in some songs with very complex bass movements, it generally managed to keep up. I didn't notice any midbass bleed.

Mids:
Quite recessed, typical of the V shaped tuning. Note weight/density is quite good. The lower mids are more forward than higher mids, hence male voices sound more forward than female ones. Nevertheless, the mids are detailed with good clarity and instrument separation. The timbre of voices and instruments from the CNT1 is very good, as typical of other dedicated DD IEMs, but may lose out a bit in this area to the Toneking Ninetails, which is my gold standard for timbre currently.

Treble:
Treble has no fatigue/harshness/sibilance. Very good for listening for long sessions and having a relaxing listen. I would class it on the slightly darker side compared to the usual bright CHIFI treble tuning, especially at the higher frequencies where there is a roll off. The lower treble is slightly boosted but not harsh. I didn't notice any peaks or spikes, and neither did I notice any grain on the treble.


Soundstage:
Average compared to my other CHIFI IEMs.


Comparisons:
As detailed above, the CNT1 won't beat most multi BA/hybrids in the clarity and details segment by virtue of it being a single DD IEM. So I have compared it to my 2 other single DD IEMs that I currently own:

a) TFZ No. 3
The clarity and details is a tinge better on TFZ No.3.
Instrument separation and imaging is better on TFZ No. 3.
Treble is brighter on the No. 3 especially the lower treble and 8kHZ area, which is not present in the CNT1. There is a roll off at higher frequencies for both of these IEMs.
Lower mids are more forward on the CNT1 compared to the TFZ No. 3, whereas higher mids are more forward on the TFZ No. 3.
The TFZ No. 3 bass and subbass extends deeper and has more oomph and displaces more air than the CNT1. The bass decay is longer on the TFZ No. 3 and it has a mild midbass bleed compared to the CNT1 (some people may not like it, but I like the midbass bleed for greater warmth in the lower mids). I would say the TFZ No. 3 has better bass quantity and quality compared to the CNT1.
Soundstage is better on the TFZ No. 3.
Isolation and timbre both are on par.

b) Toneking Ninetails
As the Ninetails has 9 customizable tuning filters, I have compared the CNT1 (on black filters for bassy sound) to the Ninetails with the red and silver combination filters (which gives it a more bassy sound signature):
The clarity and details is slightly better on Ninetails.
Instrument separation is better on Ninetails.
The treble on both are non fatiguing but maybe the CNT1 has slightly brighter highs.
The mids are equally recessed on both.
The bass is slightly muddier on the Ninetails (which has a longer decay), but otherwise they hit equally hard in the bass.
Timbre is more natural and organic on the Ninetails.
Soundstage much wider on Ninetails, but isolation worse on Ninetails.


I would consider the Ninetails and TFZ No. 3 to be sidegrades over the CNT1, with marginal improvements in areas like soundstage, clarity, instrument separation, details, but they are currently 2 - 3 times more expensive, so whether one would pay the extra dough for these slight upgrades is subjective.


Conclusion:
At the CNT1's original pricing of $95 USD, I would have hesistated to recommend it over other single DD IEMs around that pricing like the Toneking Ninetails or TFZ No. 3, but at the current fire sale price, it is good for price to performance ratio. It has 2 customizable sound signatures and I think bassheads like myself would like the kick it gives with the black filters. It is a great all rounder for most music genres, and has above average clarity/details/instrument separation (not comparing it with dedicated multi BA/hybrids of course). Tonality and timbre is very good. It is comfortable and non fatiguing and a great CHIFI addition for those looking for a cheap and good single DD IEM.
Get it while you can, since it is no longer in production (which is a pity).
Do get a better aftermarket cable, and we are all good to go.

Semkarch SKC-CNT1;

The IEM with an Entertaining Presentation


About Semkarch and the SKC-CNT1:

Semkarch is a China based company, which is relative new in the world of audiophile equipments. The SKC-CNT1 is their first In-Ear Monitor on the market which has a single dynamic driver with two (2) sound tuning filter options.






Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Semkarch for providing me this sample via Penon Audio for review purposes. I am not affiliated with Semkarch and Penon Audio beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.


Price:

The Semkarch SKC-CNT1 is available on Penon Audio for 95,00 USD.

Purchase Link: https://penonaudio.com/semkarch-skc-cnt1.html



Package and Accessories:

The Semkarch CNT1 comes in a black cardboard box with a textured surface, which sports the brand name SEMKARCH®.

This box is including the following contents/accessories;

• 1 pcs x Semkarch SKC-CNT1 In-Ear Monitor
• 1 pcs x Detachable Cable with MMCX connectors
• 4 pairs x Silicone eartips
• 2 pair x Sound tuning filters (Gold&Black)
• 1 pcs x Carry Case

The Semkarch CNT1 comes with four (4) pairs of silicone eartips that have a pretty similar look like some regular Sony eartips. This eartips are one of my favorites due the use of a very comfortable to wear/insert soft silicone material.







The carry case with zipper is in turquoise color and is ideal in size to put in the monitors+cable and all included accessories.







Design, Fit and Build Quality:

The housing of the Semkarch CNT1 monitor is made of metal and has a pretty solid to look and feel. The all metal housing of has a mirror like silver finish and has a rounded walnut like shape. The fit and ergonomics of the monitor is pretty good with its medium sized housing.





The housing is made of two parts the backs which are the back and front panel.





On front of the housing are the Left (L) and Right (R) markings, one vent and the brand logo, which is printed in white color.





On the back are a second vent and the female nozzle insertion for the sound tuning nozzle filter, which has a 45 degree angled profile.

They are two (2) sound tuning filters, one in gold and one in black.







The Semkarch CNT1 comes with a detachable cable with MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) connector, which has a 2 core wire design with a unknown type of copper material/purity. The cable material is coated with a grey semi transparent TPU material. The microphonic effect for this cable is on an acceptable level.





The housing of the MMCX connectors is made of metal and has a gun metal colored finish with Left and R markings.





The cable sports shrink tube plastic ear guides, which is pretty elastic and comfortable to wear over my ear.

The cable has a y splitter that sport the model description (SKC-CNT1) and a chin slider, which are all made of metal.





The cable has a straight profiled plug with the same gunmetal color metal housing that sports the brand name. The headphone jack is gold plated and has a 3 pole unbalanced jack.





The Semkarch CNT1 has an above average isolation, which is slightly lower compared to In-Ear Monitors with a semi custom universal shell.



Technical Specifications:

• Driver : CNT (Carbon Nano Tube) Dynamic driver
• Sensitivity : 108±1 dB
• Impedance ：32ohm
• Freq. range : 10Hz-26000Hz
• THD : <0.2%
• Rated power : 5mW
• Plug : 3.5mm gold-plated
• Cable length : 120cm
• Black filters : 3khz-10khz +2db
• Gold filters : 3khz-10khz -2db

Equipment’s used for this review:

IEM’s : Semkarch SKC-CNT1, iBasso IT01, Mee Audio Pinnacle P2
DAP&DAC’s : Cayin N5II, Fiio M7, Hifiman Super Mini, xDuoo XD10 Poke, Audirect Beam






Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Opeth – Damnation (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• London Grammar – Interlud (Live) (Flac 24bit/44kHz)
• Laura Pergolizzi – Lost On You “Live at Harvard and Stone” (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• JehanBarbur – Yollar (Spotify)
• Minor Empire – Bulbulum Altin Kafeste (Spotify)
• Adam Taylor – Colour to the Moon (Flac 16bit/44kHz)
• Casey Abrams – Robot Lover (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Steve Srauss – Mr. Bones (Flac 16bit/44kHz)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (DSF) – Binaural Recording
• Future Heroes – Another World (Tidal Hi-fi)
• Lorde – Team (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Tom Player – Resonance Theory “Album” (Tidal Hi-Fi)

The Sound:

This review is written after a burn-in process of around 90-100 hours and I have used the stock silicone ear tips which are included to the box.



Sound Signature:

The Semkarch CNT1 has a entertaining sound signature with its great bass impact and relative musical presentation. The CNT1 has two sound tuning filters that especially affect the sound signature of the lower and upper frequency regions. The gold filter shows slightly less bass and more upper midrange and treble emphasis, while the black filter has more bass but less transparency in the midrange, together with it’s slightly warmer presentation.





Bass:

One of the real highlights of the Semkarch CNT1 the bass response. The sub-bass presentation of the CNT1 with the black filter sounds fairly deep and has moderate extension, while the gold filter is adding additional control and to the sub-bass presentation. The quantity is good enough to satisfy bass lovers with genres, who needs good rumble like Trance, Edm or Pop music.

The mid-bass sounds full bodied and relative warm with the black filter, while the gold filter is slightly dropping the quantity, but adding slightly more extension. Both bass and electro guitars are sounding pretty musical for this price tag.



Midrange:

The midrange of the Semkarch CNT1 sounds a bit recessed due the V shaped tuning.

I personally come to the conclusion that the CNT1 performs better with male vocals than female voices. Because male vocals sounding warm and fuller due the relative thick tonality caused by the mid-bass emphasis. Female vocals sounding a tad warmer than neutral and there is missing some cleaners with the black filter, which can be improved by the use of the gold filter that is adding additional transparency to the overall midrange presentation.

When it comes to the instrument performance I can confirm that the CNT1 is pretty good in this regarding. Instruments with thicker notes like drums, guitars etc. sounding more delicious, than instruments like cymbals or flutes that need additional sparkle. This is a result of the upper-midrange tuning of the CNT1, which is missing some brightness and presence with the stock black filter. The gold filter is adding some refinement and slightly more sparkle to the upper midrange, but I would still prefer a bit more sparkle.


Treble:

The treble range of the Semkarch SKC CNT1 sounds smooth and calm, which can be descript as treble tuning for easy listening. The treble extension and the detail level of the CNT1 are on a moderate level.

It is not very bright and vivid like the most V shaped In-Ear Monitors on the market, but the treble quality and quantity is good enough to listen to modern music genres like pop, rock, edm and even some acoustic music’s.

The sparkle and sharpness is a bit on the limit with genres like metal music or classical music, but the gold filter is improving the overall sparkle and brightness slightly and is adding extension.

One of the most remarkable abilities of the Semkarch CNT1 in treble region is the control ability and the soft/relaxing presentation, which makes long music listening periods possible, without to sound too lifeless or veiled.



Soundstage:

The soundstage performance of the Semkarch SKC CNT1 is on an average level. The soundstage is slightly wider than its depth, with a moderate level of instrument separation, which quite ok for this price point.

Comparisons:

Semkarch SKC CNT1 vs Mee Audio Pinnacle P2

Both IEM’s have sharing the same popular V shaped sound signature but with different tonality.

The Pinnacle P2 has slightly more sub-bass rumble and depth, but has less control than compared to the Semkarch CNT1. Both IEM’s sharing some great bass impact especially in the mid-bass region, which gives a nice body to the overall presentation. The main difference is the control in this area, where the CNT1 is superior to the Pinnacle P2.

The midrange of the Pinnacle P2 and CNT1 sounds a bit recessed due the V shaped sound signature. The CNT1 sounds slightly cleaner and transparent in the midrange compared to the veiled presentation of the Pinnacle P2, which is caused by the mid-bass hump and some control problems in this area. Male vocals sounding thick and full bodied on both IEM’s, but the Semkarch CNT1 is a bit more successful while listening to female vocals with the gold filter.

The treble range of the Semkarch CNT1 is slightly brighter and has more sparkle than those of the Pinnacle P2, especially with the gold filter, which improves the treble response of the CNT1. The treble of the CNT1 has a ticker tonality with slightly better extension (gold filter) and control. The detail rendering of both In-Ear Monitors is pretty equal, maybe a little bit better with the CNT1, when you use the gold filter.

When it comes to soundstage presentation performance, the first noticeable difference is the depth where the CNT1 performs better, while the Pinnacle P2 performs slightly better in wideness. The Semkarch CNT1 is a little bit more precise in terms of instrument placement.




Semkarch SKC CNT1 vs iBasso IT01

Both IEM’s have V shaped entertaining sound signature.

The iBasso IT01 has slightly less sub-bass quantity and nearly equal mid-bass emphasis compared to the Semkarch SKC CNT1. The sub-bass of the CNT1 goes deeper, sounds fuller and has additional rumble, while the control IT01 has little bit better control.

The mid-bass quantity and control are nearly identical, maybe slightly more/better with the CNT1 if you use the black filter, while the IT01 has the upper hand regarding to speed.

The midrange of the IT01 sounds more transparent, bright and with additional sparkle, while the CNT1 has a smoother/softer presentation, which is ideal for long listening periods.

When it comes to the vocal comparison, the CNT1 is fuller and pleasant with male vocals, while the IT01 sounds more realistic and lifelike with female vocals due a slightly boost in the upper midrange are. The iBasso IT01 excel’s slightly better in terms of overall detail and instrument presentation while the difference is pretty small.

The iBasso IT01 sounds brighter, has a slightly better treble extension and shows more sparkle than those of the Semkarch CNT1, which has a slightly rolled-off top end. The benefit of this additional treble energy is more detail and rendering of air, while the Semkarch is more suitable for longer listening periods due the smoother/softer presentation.

The difference in soundstage performance of this IEM’s is pretty low. The iBasso IT01 has the slightly wider soundstage, while the difference for depth is less noticeable, maybe a tad better with the IT01. The iBasso IT01 is the more precise IEM in terms of instrument placement and definition.

Conclusion:

The Semkarch SKC CNT1 is a fairly priced In-Ear Monitor with its great bass response, entertaining tuning and two sound tuning filters, which are helping to fine tune the overall sound signature. The built quality is pretty good, while the stock cable looks less impressive compared to the rest of the package.


Pros and Cons:

• + Solid Bass Response
• + Entertaining Sound Tuning
• + Good Build Quality
• + Fairly Priced

• - Cable is a bit stiff
• - Missing of some midrange transparency/clearness
• - Treble extension

Introduction

Semkarch is a new Chinese company that specializes in in-ear monitors (IEMs). I would like to thank Penon and Semkarch for the review unit of the SKC-CNT1. At the moment, you can purchase it from https://penonaudio.com/semkarch-skc-cnt1.html .



Specifications

• Driver: CNT Dynamic driver
• Sensivity:108±1Db
• Impedance：32ohm
• Frequency range:10Hz-26000Hz

Unboxing & Accessories

The SKC-CNT1 comes in a black package with the brand name printed on the front. After opening the package, there are the iem and blue carrying case which sports the brand name. The case contains cable, tips and filters.





IEM Build & Design

The SKC-CNT1 has a small oval shell and it has a comfortable fit. It has a glossy gun-metal surface. On each faceplate, there is the brand name with vent below it. There is a vent on the inside of the iem. On the outside of the MMCX sockets, there is a L and R marking to differentiate left and right respectively. The nozzle is slightly angled and it can be removed.









Cable Build & Design

The cable has a 2 core design. It has MMCX connectors. Each connector has a gun-metal housing. There are L & R markings on the left and right side respectively for differentiation. The cable has a memory wire section that is enclosed in an opaque black heat shrink tube. The chin slider and y-splitter are gunmetal in colour with the model name printed on the y-splitter. Lastly, the jack is 3.5mm gold plated straight with strain relief and it sports the brand name.



Sound Analysis (Black Filter)

Lows

The SKC-CNT1 has a good amount of sub-bass and the extension is of a moderate magnitude. The mid-bass has great quantity and it presents the slam with control. The bass texture is rendered smoothly and the bass decay is not quick. Each bass note is articulated in a smooth hit with natural rumble. The bass reproduction takes on a full-bodied approach and it is delivered with engagement. When the filter is gold, the bass has quicker bass decay with slightly more extension.

Mids

The midrange on the SKC-CNT1 has body and it operates in a laid back approach. There is a moderate level of transparency and it is rendered in a smooth manner. The presentation is fairly lush. The lower mids has good quantity which benefits male vocals. The upper mids is not very forward and it limits the intimacy of female vocals. The midrange is expressed well but lacks the excitement. When the filter is gold, there is a cleaner feeling and transparency improves.

Highs

The treble has a moderate extension with lack of crisp and sparkle. There is no sibilance and harshness. It is expressed with smoothness and the treble presentation ensures a fatigue-free listening session without sounding bright. The amount of air rendered is moderate and offers space. The definition is moderate with little liveliness. When the filter is gold, there is a small improvement in the extension.

Soundstage

The SKC-CNT1 expands naturally with an average width magnitude. The depth is slightly closed in. It gets congested when tackling busier tracks. Positioning of vocals and instruments has average precision.

Filters

As compared to the black filter, the gold filter has a lighter bass performance with more treble presence.



Comparisons

Semkarch SKC-CNT1 vs iBasso IT01

The SKC-CNT1 has more sub-bass quantity than the IT01 and the extension has a similar magnitude. The SKC-CNT1 presents its sub-bass in a fuller manner. The mid-bass on the IT01 has slightly less quantity than the SKC-CNT1 but the IT01 is able to deliver its slam with speed. The bass texture on both is rendered smoothly while the bass decay on the IT01 is quicker with agility. The midrange on the IT01 has a higher level of transparency with cleanliness. The lower mids on the SKC-CNT1 has more body and male vocals benefit from it. The upper mids on the IT01 is more forward which contributes to the intimacy of female vocals. The vocals reproduction is more organic on the IT01. Next, in the treble section, the IT01 has more extension while the SKC-CNT1 has extra body. The IT01 has more crisp and sparkle. The amount of air rendered on the IT01 is more. The articulation of the IT01 has a slightly higher precision level. In terms of soundstage, both expands naturally but IT01 has greater width. The depth on the SKC-CNT1 is more closed in.

Semkarch SKC-CNT1 vs TFZ Exclusive King

The SKC-CNT1 has similar sub-bass quantity as the King and the extension on the King is slightly greater. The sub-bass reproduction has a higher engagement level on the SKC-CNT1. The mid-bass on the SKC-CNT1 has additional amount and it contributes to a weighted slam. The slam from the SKC-CNT1 is harder which gives more impact. Both demonstrates rumble well. Bass texture is much smoother on the SKC-CNT1 while the bass decay is slightly quicker on the King. The midrange on both has similar transparency. The lower mids on the SKC-CNT1 has more body which makes male vocals sound thick. The upper mids on the King has additional forwardness and creates more intimate female vocals. Moving on to the treble section, the King has more extension and it is able to render a greater amount of air. The treble on the SKC-CNT1 has extra body and the articulation on the King is more precise. The King brings sparkle and crisp is showcased well. In terms of soundstage, the expansion is rather natural and the King has a greater width magnitude. Depth on the SKC-CNT1 is more closed in.

Conclusion

The SKC-CNT1 is a bass oriented iem that is able to provide a strong bass performance, laid-back midrange and smooth treble. It has a good engagement level and provides strong punch. In addition, it features filter tuning options. The Semkarch SKC-CNT1 excels in its bass reproduction and marks Semkarch’s debut.

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Semkarch CNT1



I remember the first carbon nanotube based earphones I have ever heard It was a cheaper JVC earphone called the FX40B. For a budget earphone and my first earphones to use a carbon nanotube diaphragm. It was impressive with its clarity and very good bass for less than $30. I still own a pair and use it with one of my laptops as it is one of the most comfortable smaller earphones I own. While the sound punched above its price it wasn’t without fault. The V shaped sound design of the FX40 gave a glimpse into what is possible using this hard as diamond driver. One thing for certain. This first generation carbon nanotube driver provided some astounding bass.

Today we have a newer iteration of the Carbon nanotube driver in a Chinese made Semkarch CNT1 earphones. A subsidiary of the famous LZ company. These phones are the first with the brand name Semkarch and tuned by Mr. LZ himself.. Why semkarch? I have no idea. It is a good as any other name one can call an earphone. The CNT1 obviously stands for Carbon Nanotube.

Thanks goes out to Jim and the nice folks at NiceHCK. I was provided with a review sample of the SemKarch CNT1 for review purposes. My opinions and subjective views on the sound are how I hear them. Currently the Semkarch CNT1 can be purchased here. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/SEM...654.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.4d574c4dIc4hFj



SPECS:

• Driver: CNT Dynamic driver
• Sensivity:108±1Db
• Impedance：32ohm
• Frequency range:10Hz-26000Hz
• THD: <0.2%
• Rated power:5mW
• Plug:3.5mm gold-plated
• Cable length:120cm
• Black filters : 3khz-10khz+2db
• Gold filters : 3khz-10khz-2db

The semkarch CNT1 arrived in an all black box the earphones connected to mmcx single ended 3.5mm cable with earguides. A brighter pastel blue zip up case. 4 pairs of Sony Hybrid like knock off silicone tips which are also given with the LZ A5. 2 sets of sound filter nozzles in copper and black. The black filters were installed from the factory. Fairly standard fair as far as accessories goes.



Semkarch CNT1 is made out of an all metal housing which has the word Semkarch written on the shells. I suppose when you use a name like Semkarch it is a unique moniker and if anything no one will be able to say these are not unique. The fairly smaller round housing sit on the concha of the ear and the over the ear fit is fairly comfortable due to the smaller housing of them. These are actually smaller in size compared to the LZ A5. They have 2 vent holes one facing the ear and one on the backside. Vents to give the driver some breathing room. I suspect one vent to relieve pressure and one for the bass. .


The standard cable provided is nothing remarkable but does the job. Soft sturdy with a firm connection to the mmcx all metal end, it has ear hook guides which some are not a fan of.



So I am gonna be honest here. Ibasso has pretty much established what sets of accessories with an outstanding boutique like cable they provide for this price range and in my opinion has set a clear benchmark on what provided accessories and tips should be about.


The Semkarch/LZ and just about everyone else has a lot to learn from Ibasso. 4 pairs of knock off Sony hybrids just don’t cut it. There was obviously little thought put into what people get with these earphones. However all is not lost. In the end it comes down to the sound.



The sound of the CNT1 has a warm tilt to the tonality of the overall sound. These remind me a lot of two earphones I have in my possession. The BGVP DM5 and MassDrop EDC earphones in how they are tuned. These are more a musical warm fun tuning vs a more reference version of this tuning that is on the LZ A5. These two earphones do share similar sound balancing so there is definitely a family resemblance but both have different approaches that cater to a different crowd. The CNT1 is more closer to a consumer type tuning vs the more audiophile reference tuned LZ A5.


The CNT1 has an above average isolation due to the all metal housing. I test isolation by seeing if I can hear my wife calling my name when I am doing yard work. If she gets mad because I didn’t answer her. Then we got some good isolation. This happened twice today so these definitely passed the good isolation test. The price of these being almost twice the cost of the EDCs they do have more refinements over the EDC earphone which would be expected. Treble has better presence, a deeper better defined mid range and arguably the better bass end.



The provided copper and black nozzle filters provide two types of tunings. The black nozzle was attached in the box so apparently. Mr LZ feels the black nozzles provide the better more balanced sound of the two. The two nozzles provide a slight change in emphasis from 1Khz to 12Khz region. Which provides a more balanced signature of the black filter and a warm tilted more bass focussed signature of the copper filter.


I personally preferred the black nozzle the best. Can’t argue with Mr. LZ on this one. However I can see when working out or wanting that big bass emphasis where the copper filter can come in handy. The nozzles do not affect bass emphasis much like how the tuning filters are on the LZ A5. However the perception of bass is more pronounced when using the copper nozzle due to less upper mids and treble emphasis. You want that warm bass? You will get it with the Coppers.

I have always found Carbon based phones to have deep punching full bass end and the CNT1 provides this. These will clearly trade punches with the best bass phones in the market. It is 10mm of diamond like dynamic eyeball shaking, rumble of low bass. Guys that prefer less bass in their music should stay away. Sub bass has zero drop off in the 20Hz range making these a guilty pleasure for bass genres. You like your eardrums to get a work out when listening to your favorite hip hop and edm tracks. These will hit them drums might loosen some wax up in there too.



For bass lovers These might be your next guilty pleasure. With that bass comes the smooth yet fairly deep mid section with a medium head stage. Clarity does not reach A5 levels but for how bassy these earphones are it is a good level at this price range. Perceived clarity is better using the black filters over the copper. Sense of air and space on the CNT1 is also done fairly well. Male vocals have better presence vs female vocals which takes a slight step back in the mix. Overall sound balancing is good but somewhat lacking in upper treble energy which actually can be enhanced using a newer LZ A5 filter.


With the stock black filter the bass has a slight roll off in the upper treble area making them easy to listen to. No grain in the treble area is detected slightly thin sounding which is also the trade mark of the tuning that is on the LZ A5. These however has no sharpness to the tone in the treble which again leads to a smoother overall feel to the sound vs the LZ A5. Extension is not quite on par with something like the Pinnacle P1 or even the BGVP DM5 but is there more to enhance the flow of the mids and bass. For guys that feel the treble is lacking a touch in emphasis. Getting the blue filter from the LZ A5 will fix this issue.


Modification for better sound. I don’t know if I would call this an actual mod but more of just using what is available to me. The CNT1 has some very good potential and uses one of the more unique capable dynamic drivers. Unlike other earphones these have the benefit of having the exact same type of filters that is also used on the LZ A5. So more tuning options are available. Case in point. Using the blue filter from the newer batch of LZ A5 filters actually gives a slight bump to the upper mids and treble by a db or two. Perceived clarity is increased by a touch. However I don’t feel it is necessary to spend $20 on extra filters. The black filter on the CNT1 is actually fairly close to the blue filter on the A5.


That money is better spent on an good aftermarket cable. Using one of my balanced SPC cables on the CNT1 actually helps open up the sound and brings bit more definition and clarity.



For a first time outing I feel these succeeds in several aspects of sound enjoyment on the go. The bass for one is definitely a guilty pleasure and the good isolation only helps with enjoying your music while doing yard work or even working out. Has a good mid range but is 2 dimensional sounding with the full on 10dbs of bass range enhanced with zero roll off in the deepest of registers.. Capped off by a non fatiguing yet clean treble emphasis. Musical sounding and plenty of oomph in that low end. Bass lovers will especially enjoy these. I would say these are at a similar level to graphene dynamics in bass at the given price range. Mmcx so this just means you can use a huge variety of cables to suit your needs. More sound filters via LZ A5 if you want bit more upper mids and treble. Easy to to drive . They are a solid option from Semkarch. Especially for enthusiasts that love their low end rumble.


Thanks for reading and as always happy listening.

Sources used for evaluation:
IDSD Black label
Sony ZX300A
Cayin N5ii
Shanling M3s.