Pretty obvious by the answers here, along with the number of bowyers with big backlogs, that is is no one (or two, or ten) right answer.  

I've come to the conclusion that if there was one particular style or design that was head and shoulders better for everyone, then everyone would be shooting that particular bow, or every bowyer would be copying that design.

Heck, look at the most well known hunters and target archers, and/or folks that have been trying out different bows for the past 10-15-20 years and see how many of them agree on one bow--it's a diverse field.

I've seen this question come up several times in different places, and the answer is always the same--there is no definate answer.

Chad

Well said Chad or like a wise man once told me: "Whatever Floats Your Boat"!

The Royal by Wes Wallace

Allen Boice Liberty English
Northern Mist

Herb Meland's Pronghorn
Original Harrisons
Pete George Longbows
Sentman's Moosejaw
Dick Boss Longbows

for right now!  lol

The best longbow out there is the one you like, so try every one you can!!!!!!!   ron w.

My top 5 in no particular order are:

Fox Archery
Pronghorn
Centaur
Toelke Whip
Thunderhorn

Pronghorn

1 piece Morrison Dakota 64" longbow I have one at 43# and it is amazing.Carbon core foam back it feels like 20#.I cant express to you how fast this bow shoots and the way it feels.It shoots the same arrow as a 48# bow at the same fps.This bow is a star and if you dont believe me shoot it for yourself and youll seee!

Matlock
Whip

And the winner is Centaur.Nothing more needs to be written.

It's difficult to form an accurate assesment of someone elses bow you have shot because you have not worked up the proper arrow, tinkered with brace and nock height etc.. That said, some bows I have shot and liked were by J.D. Berry, Roy Hall and Bob Morrison. The R.D. Longbows I own are Dan Toelke Whips and if I own one or ten more they will be Whips, I don't know how you could improve on their looks or "manners", I have never known a nicer guy so dedicated to customer satisfaction or more knowledgable about all things archery and who still, amazingly delivers an order in about a month or less.

One piece Sky Rogue, now back in production by Welch bows.  One of the first true Hybrids designed by a gentleman with more patents, on bows and bowmaking equipment than anyone I can think of, Earl Hoyt Jr.

Semper Fi
Dan Raney

abbott longbow - yew and cocobolo, 64". good shooter, easy on the eyes. custom for $395.

http://sites.google.com/site/stringwalkerbowhunter/Home/harriermkiiglroyale

hmmmmmm

rusty

Turkey Creek Double carbon would be my pick.

Being the owner of only 1 longbow, I'm unable to write a top 5. But I really like my Tomahawk Diamond 'SS'.

I'm a recurve man (no throwing rocks please) and I shot a friends Cetaur last month and all I can say is WOW.

Fast, accurate, dead in the hand, quiet and stable. Not sure you could make a bow that was any better.

For me it is my Frank SanMarco.
Oberon

I would have said Pronghorn until recently, but I'd have to say my new Hummingbird is the champ.