Potting Medium

[aerides]

I've recently received paphs from the same vendor potted in two mediums: sphagnum (probably recently imported in that medium) and smaller grade bark mix (the vendors choice). Personally, I prefer sphagnum as a potting medium because I can tell when it needs watering, and because dries out evenly, top to bottom. The bark mix does become lighter when it needs watering, but it doesn't seem to dry out as evenly (it can be dry in the top half and moist on the bottom, especially in those taller-than-wide rectangular pots that seem so favored for paphs). Is either one of those mediums okay, or is one more appropriate for some species than others? Or is the bark mix actually better in general for paphs than sphagnum, whether I like it or not? Thanks!