I think the biggest issue is that too many people don't/did not care for the K&N correctly,
Don't take care of the paper filter in other words are not scientific samples of the subject.
I do know this:
Caterpiller found the K&N was inferior to their centrifical + paper
filters for stopping dirt, on silica, in the micron range.
I've run K&N filters since the 80's and they worked well, I define
well as no dirt past the filter I can see. I religiously maintained them
exactly like my original one required. I have sold all of my cars with
200+K miles and I am an avid off-roader so they see dirt a lot.
K&N filters will usually stop your engine from inhaling water in my limited experience.
I really like the outerwear foam wrap on the K&N for the sand.
The only filter that reliably stopped volcanic ash (I lived 10 miles from St Helens)
Was a K&N wrapped with a nylon stocking (4 layers/stocking.,)
Paper did not work because it sucked in when it plugged, this was
back when most rigs had the old round filters and carbs still.
I frankly don't care if they K&N flows any better or not, I use it to
stop a few more filters form hitting the land fill... My little contribution...
Dave