t5ho and canopy penetration

ok, this is an issue i see brought up often, against t5ho flouro tubes, and i honestly don't get it.

if you're outputting the same amount of lumens, as say, an hps light, why would there be less "penetration"? is there? would it be something to do with the light emanating from along a 4ft-long tube?

another question: for flowering, t5ho's can be had in 3000k bulbs; however, an hps is more like 2100k. is one better than the other?

here's my situation: i can go with a 250w hps that outputs some 29000 lumens, for 115 lumen/watt, yet has to be higher up above the plants because of heat, and thus lumens are decreased; it's important to note that the hps lights can be quite a bit more efficient than this, and a 600w can do an impressive 150 lumen/watt

or, i can get a 6bulb t5ho setup that outputs 30000 lumens for 316w, at 92 lumen/watt

now, heat is the main issue, but i figure i can find a way to vent the hps


but this idea of "penetration" keeps popping up, and i'm wondering if someone could explain if this is a real issue (and why), or if it's just folks working with low-lumen flouro's, that then switch to a HID with multiple times the watts, and say "gee, look, the flouros are crap". it never ceases to amaze me how growers can't seem to do a lumen/watt calculation, nor understand that putting your light farther away drastically reduces your lumens

can anyone help me out?