Don't think the issue here should be cost.
But it should be.
1) TONE
2) Longevity
3) Cost
You can buy the most expensive stirngs, and then they don't go well with your body's chemical make up? 3 days, blackened liao... its still a waste.
Grab cheapo strings, that have crap tone but seem to last long... more power to you if you like it like so.
Personally, I hate a'daddarios. I think they have very horrid tone... but thebiggest no no is that they rust very fast in my hands.
I use DR strings now. What, 2 bucks more than d-addario? Simple, don't need to buy a drink for a lunch. :wink: