I'd put EC's filters up against K&n, his best are expensive but well worth itI guarantee you there is a big difference between a K&N and most other filters out there, but sometimes it is hard to pay all that money for a filter, though it is much better to have a good one well taken care off and regularly clean than a bunch of low quality ones restricting the air flow.
E.C. shared that story here or the old site, when he wrote his thread once a month or what ever it was.Yes, Ec's are great too. The main difference between a good filter and a bad one is not on the chrome, but the fabric or material that filters the air. A good filter allow the highest flow but at the same time doesn't allow any foreign particles get inside the engine.
I bought mid priced filters, washed in the dish washer, sprayed with oil, sat aside to cure.none of those gauze/screen filters work at stoping dust unless they are sprayed with filter oil, pre filter or not. A lot of people neglect that step. they also need to be washed on a regular basis or they don't flow because they are clogged with dirt.