I have the v.1. I admire you for getting up close and personal with the inner workings of your ZS5, I haven't gotten frustrated enough with the sound of mine yet to tear it open and mess around.
BTW, that is the same yardstick I use for upgrading/modifying guitars. I wait 'til I'm so upset with the sound or playability that I'm willing to risk total destruction to make it work for me in the way I think it should, (or I just get rid of it or ignore it, LOL)
Thanks!
I was at the end of my rope on both the ZS5v.2 and my ZS6..
It was mainly the sounds of cymbals that drove me crazy.. Especially Hi-Hats (on many recordings) sounding like "CCcCccHhHhHhtTtTtTSSssSSsT!!!!" lol!
They still are a bit harsh but at least it's not as loud as before.
Anyway, from what I've heard; the v.1 doesn't seem to have the sibilance that the v.2 (and ZS6) seem to have.
But it all depends on the music you listen too, how your ears work, etc etc.
However, -If- you are really frustrated with your ZS6's10k highs, then you might want to try a simple mod that is easily undoable.
Just get some thin foam (the thicker the foam, the more highs it will cut, too thick will cut mid treble and volume) cut it into a little disc that is just slightly over the size of the nozzle on your foam ear tips..
{The disc doesn't have to be perfectly round}
Then just stuff it all the way down into the ear tip until it sits on the metal screens of the ZS6's nozzles.
Just make sure it's slightly over sized so it doesn't fall out into your ears! lol!
I check mine every once in a while as well to make sure they are still seated well in there..
[
***EDIT: ONLY do this if you use memory foam tips... The memory foam seems to grip the little foam discs so they don't fall out in your ears..Silicone & rubber tips are probably not safe for this kind of mod.]
I have actually been a professional stringed instrument (guitar, bass, cello, violin, etc) builder for more then 35 years, so I'm pretty comfortable with this kind of stuff.. (If you want to see one of my creations, just look at my profile/avatar pic)