I'm not sure cheaper brand means softer compound bud. Yoko A040's are massively soft, and not cheap. Michelins are rock hard, last forever (with compromised grip IMO) and are pricey.
Agree about the rest, it depends on your preference and the car too.
I know what you mean, but name a cheap brand that has a hard compound but with levels of grip comparable to the toyo/falken/michelin or bridgestone? Id be surprised if you found one? The Toyo's especially have a soft compound, t1-r being slightly harder and of a better design than the t1-s. Im not familiar with the Yoko A040's, but the ones i know of are the A043 and A048's like kev has and these are semi slicks so to speak.