It is very hard so I would have to say John Owen Jones and Ramin Karimloo tha I have seen...wasn't impressed with David Shannon or Earl Carpenter. Broadway Phantom I love Gary Mauer and John Cudia. Michael Crawford was ok to.
Once upon a time I used to dress up Ken
But now that I'm a woman I like...bigger men
And I don't need a barbie doll to show me how
cause mama I'm a big girl now!
I have seen many many over the years, and for some reason I am always more impressed vocally with the US Phantoms over the London ones. The last London one that blew me away was Grant Norman and he was form the US. I guess it is the way they sing the role or something.
all time Fav is Davis Gaines, then Howard, Richard Todd Adams, Tom J. O'Leary, Hugh, TMG, and eventhough alot of people hated Jason Mills, I loved his vocals.
I should also say that to me when it comes to the Phantom, a good vocal trumps good acting. I'd rather hear a Phantom that makes my knees go wobbly that one that acts briliantly with a vocal that grates my skin. I guess that also happens because I am usually sitting way up in the back of the theatre.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre
For me it's John Cudia. He was in it all 3 times I saw it and still he was able to make me feel like it was my first time seeing him. Based off of videos, Hugh is second.