in this case, blackouts 100%
that fishman clip actually really disappointed me, maybe something like the classics would deliver that missing high end
i've noticed that in quite a few clips of the moderns, actually
they have that nice compression i want but lack the high end of the classics and a few others
This, to me, is the main problem with sound clips. They are so often misleading and recorded in a way which can alter ones perceptions. The Moderns are easily among the most tight, precise, clear active pickups on the market. In my opinion, having done hundreds of real-life A/B testing, they blow away the Seymour Duncan Blackouts in terms of fidelity, noise, tight bottom end, and every metric one would find positive for a modern metal player.
Now, thats not to say Moderns will sound good in every guitar. They dont. Some guitars are just a mismatch, as can be the case with any pickup. However, I find all the people saying "yup, Blackouts are better" based on amateur clips of two separate guitars saddening. I would stress to people to try them out in real life and trust your own ears, rather than amateur recordings.
I know I sound like a Fishman apologist, but I just have had such resounding success with them in so many guitars over the past 5 years, that I cant help myself. They're amazing. My shop sells Seymour Duncans too, they are good too... but to me the Fishman pickups are the best active pickups available by a mile. I just threw a Devin Townsend Fishman set in an Ibanez RGA and those are mind-blowingly good too.
No offense to the OP here, just making a general statement.