I'm a huge EMG fan, for the past 7-8 years. The only pickups I have found that I like other than EMGs are Bareknuckles (Storymy Monday, Nailbombs, and Rebel Yells) and the Suhr Aldrich pickups. Having said that, my favorites are still my EMG's.
The X's really do MUCH better on the single coil route. If you are looking for a SSS guitar, the X's having higher headroom and more dynamics are a HUGE plus, making them my prefered single coil for a standard strat. But if you are into metal and such, the X's are still good, unless you want less headroom and dynamics and that added EMG compression, which I personally love. I have 4 guitars with either HSS or HSH w/ EMGs. 2 with EMG X's and 2 with standard EMGs w/ the 18V mod. For the times where I want that compression and such, I use the EMGs w/ the 18V mod. When I want a bit more dynamics and openness, I use the X's.
The 85X in the neck is SOOOOO much better voiced than the 85 standard emg. Not muddy, or boomy on the low end. More how I would expect a neck bucker to be. Having said that..
the 60A in the neck is just fantastic w/ the 81. Personally, I still love the 81 / S / SLV setup I use in most of my guitars. It is just so damn good, that I don't really see the need changing it. For rock / hard rock, it i just the shit. If you are doing more Eric Johnson / Andy Timmons where you want more dynamics...then the X's are VERY WELL worth it...as well as blues...and such where you want that headroom and dynamics in your tone.
Hope that helps. I think both the X and the standard EMGs have their place for sure.
