EMG 81 vs 81X - MTM1

In the last months I bought a few active pickups to try in my Ibanez MTM1. First round is EMG 81 vs 81X and I also threw a EMG 60 vs 60X sample in there.

[shadowalk]

Both sound really close but there's definitely something more going on in the 81X sound that I can't quite put into words. Whether that something is a good or bad thing, I would say that is subjective to the listener. I will say though that the normal 81 cleans up better than the 81X (e.g. you need more noise gate power for the 81X).

[roberts]

Your helping me make a decision :) which one is better :)

[РоманБілецький-цх]

Хороше порівняння а також запис чути різницю, сам мав обидва 81-81Х порівнював різниця не велика но вона є, Х має більше верху сустейну на дісторшоні, а на чистому дуже тихо як слабенький сингл.

[armorghostvillain]

bro intall Micks new Fisherman set they are wicked, way better than EMGs

[musician]

The original 81 is much better and more musical...
what's the point of releasing a new product that is worse than the previous one....?