Regardless of the numbers, charts and graphs, if the pickups sound good, I'll be happy. If not, I have other options in my parts box.

As I said earlier, I remember them favourably but didn't feel I had anything to lose by removing the shielding. TBH I was surprised just how good they sounded for stock pickups in a Squier. Certainly better than the bar magnet single coils that you often get.
I just can't help myself when it comes to tinkering sometimes, so I reckoned why not.