The ESP Guitar Company

Blackouts are noticeably hotter than EMGs and they do sound bigger and more open. Wiring EMGs for 18-volt action narrows the gap somewhat but I feel Blackouts are way better still. The EMG X series is a lower gain active design that (IMO) falls short of being an active pickup (by output) and it really isn't a convincing passive either.

Some 2011 ESP models are now equipped with Blackouts, the older are almost exclusively EMG.

Blackouts ftw !

Not that i am an expert guitarist but i really did here the diff even on youtube , im thinjing of swapping out the 81 85 for the abh 2 ? Is that the better model the abh 3 seemed a bit trebley ????

Think im
Leaning towards emg x 81 85

I have two active guitars, a Schecter Blackjack ATX running Blackouts and an LTD EC series running EMG's (60/81).

The 81 is brilliant for metal, but just lacks the depth for a wider range of styles. It just doesn't sound 'full' enough for a number of other styles and sounds.

The Blackouts are the 'do everything, but rock the hell out doing it' pickups in my eyes. They don't sound as good down low (IMO) as the EMG's, but they are better everywhere else... and I'm definitely sold on Blackouts as the 'better' pickups.

I think emg's have more clarity at high volumes where the blackouts get a bass and mids blending together type sound. I much prefered the dave mustain livewires, I thought they had a good active\passive blend

the EMG 85 sounds killer in the bridge of brighter sounding guitars.

I personally like EMGs better. More clarity and just sound better to me. I like the Blackouts but IMO, EMG is better.

EMG should REALLY start making a 60TW.

60 in the neck > 85. IMO.

I swapped 2 evolution 7 pickups for a pair of 7 string blackouts in a really nice 7 string Jackson. I was completely disappointed. The evolutions were better especially for solos, they just sounded lifeless.
7 string Evolutions are different from the 6 string versions which I loathe. The evolution 7's are awesome, with clarity and nice tone.

The blackouts sounded lifeless*

blackouts have more kind of a organic tone..