Wow, I'm not exactly sure where to begin with this thread... I'll start by saying AFMotorsports has it pretty much nailed. There is no better or worse when it comes to similar category tires from top MFGs, just different. If the rest of your bike is set up properly for the specific tire you will get very similar performance but different feel from any of them.
A soft carcass doesn't actually absorb more of the bumps, because you should be running it at a higher pressure which means equal high amplitude absorption to a stiff carcass at a lower pressure. However, it will transmit less high-frequency, low amplitude vibration which will feel "smoother" if you like it, "numb" if you don't. At correct pressures, there will be no significant difference in grip, even at lean. Likewise, a stiff carcass transmits more of the high-frequency, low amplitude vibration either making it "high feedback" or "harsh" depending on your preference.
I happen to prefer a softer carcass (Pirelli), because a smooth feel gives me more confidence than lots of feedback. Nothing to do with actual grip and everything to do with my personal bias. I suspect if I were more competent and in tune with my bike, I'd prefer a stiffer carcass and more feedback. Also a soft carcass and under-inflated tires can mask poor suspension setup, but at the expense of tire heat/grip, handling (overly sluggish), and rim durability.
Notes for nerds: at full lean, the differences are more significant because you're taking a significant portion of the damping circuit out of the equation by compressing the suspension with +1g, and tipping it on it's side so the suspension sees less than 75% of the bump vector. Still with proper inflation the large bump absorption will be similar, but the differences in feel magnified, and on truly uneven surfaces (e.g. old chip-n-seal) the soft carcass will have a grip advantage if you're actually managing 50%+ lean angles on roads that look like a Proactive commercial.