I also think the second one looks better; however, I think an even better option (assuming triple accent laminates) would be to either (A) put purpleheart where the walnut is, and walnut where the (middle) maple is; OR (B) have the outer (of the 3 accents) BOTH be ebony OR purpleheart -with the walnut in the middle.
Having vermillion BETWEEN two ebony accent lams would probably look pretty bitchin', too... but perhaps that would be TOO colorful for what you have in mind.