mcassel, I think part of the info you're missing is this: The MR in MR16 stands for Mirror Reflector. The AR in PAR stands for Aluminized Reflector. Highly polished mirror reflectors are able to direct light in a very focussed, controlled way, so the light the bulb produces can be directed to in a very specific direction (yielding a high candlepower in that direction but throwing little light off to the sides. This effect is increased with low-voltage bulbs because the filaments are smaller. However, the tightly controlled beams that are native to these bulbs can then be softened and adjusted with optional diffusing lenses that dim4fun mentioned. Aluminized reflectors are much less polished and tend to scatter the light, so less of the light is concentrated in the middle of the beamspread, and more is sent off to the sides. If you want dramatic, spotlight-like effects then the MR bulbs are the way to go. If you want softer-edged light, or if you're trying for even lighting, where the pools of light from adjacent fixtures can blend together somewhat seamlessly, then PAR lamps are probably the better choice. If you want soft light but need especially small or versatile fixtures then MR-types with diffusing lenses might be the solution.

Just thought I'd post a picture of my lighted art work. We ended up using just one 4 inch recessed low voltage light with the aiming elbow trim. To me it does not look like it needs the 4 or more lights that the previous poster suggested. There certainly is a big difference in how the art looks with and without being lit. First picture is with recessed light off. The flash made a white spot on picture. Second picture is with light turned on. No flash needed on camera what do you think?

I have 50w gu-10 bulbs (line) in my living room (Unknown brand bought at Home Depot or something). They are bright enough and they do work well with aperture trim. I also installed 37w Sylvania Tru-Aim IR (12v) in my kitchen, bathroom and dining room. Wow what a difference. Low voltage gives out a nicer light spectrum more comparable to natural daylight. (Not artificial like daylight CFL's). I forked out more for "IR", which has an infrared coating of the bulb, which put out a light like a 50w. They are more energy efficient in that aspect. My understanding is the IR coating traps the IR light inside the bulb and puts out more of the visible light. Cool but way more expensive. I spent days trying to find the cheapest (range of the IR bulbs were $15-$75). I definitely recommend a soft start dimmer, bulbs last forever. I have the Maestro Dimmers. My mother has mr-16 low voltage on a regular switch and they burn out all the time. Hope this help and hopefully my time I spent on research helps. I'm sort of a light bulb/lighting fanatic.

I have installed 13 Juno 4" low voltage Halogen lights in our kitchen remodel. There are two in front of the rangetop, one on each side over the counter, one in front of the frig, one in front of the double ovens, one to the left of the sink, two over the sink, two to the right of the sink over the counter, and another two in front of what will be a simulated hutch. There are also 9 more in the family room and three in the hallway. Ha, I should own stock! The LV Halogens are not cheap, costing around $40 each as I recall, plus the trims at $27 each, but IMO they are well worth it in the grand scheme of things. I have installed 50W, 36 deg Solux bulbs running at 4100K in the kitchen area. They are very white and make everything sparkle. I could never go back to the normal yellow looking Halogens. The family room has 3500K bulbs which are a bit warmer looking. The main advantages to the LV Halogens are much more light per Watt and MUCH less heat. You can put your hand right up under them and barely feel the heat. I have all our lights on magnetic LV dimmers. I'm using Leviton Acenti. When I have them turned down really, really low you can occasionally hear a slight amount of hum from one or two... but the sheetrock isn't even up yet, so once that's in I doubt we will ever hear anything. The light you get from these small Halogens is not very diffuse, which is the way I like it. You have light where you need it but the whole kitchen isn't overly bright. We'll also have under counter lighting and three pendants over the bar stool area.