I'm talking here on speaker's cables only. So lets leave the other cables out ot this discussion.
The only insite I have from your answer, is that
You say "try and error with a budget".
I say, "Tell me what brand and model your amp. and speakers are, what is the distance between them - and I'll calculate for you what cable is required".
The optimum cable for the money. First time - and also the last.