Hawks make a decent product. Raybestos and Wagner are both first rate brake manufactures and offer a variety of products with good, better, best marketing. Interestingly enough and what many fail to realize is that like with most things it's tough to get the best of both worlds. Softer linings dust more, are quieter and and often stop better but wear out more rapidly. Hard linings last longer but don't typically have the stopping power and create more noise.
The secret is to find a set that best meets your needs and that can vary on your driving habits, do you want or need a lifetime warranty? If you drive 150 miles a day on the highway a softer pad may be just what you're looking for. If you're a midtown taxi a hard pad is probably the only thing that will be there 6 months down the road. Good pads cost money and may not have the lifetime warranty because the cost can become prohibitive. BrakeWorld.com and BrakeWarehouse.com both have a pretty good selection.
If you choose to have a hard lining it's a good idea to have a grooved, slotted or drilled rotor. I know that by saying this there will likely be comments that will dismiss the benefits of a slotted or cross drilled rotor. I won't make that argument in this post but the point I'm trying to make is that any of the types of rotors I listed have a disruptive surface. Having a slot or hole makes it so that the lining surface is shaved during normal use, keeping a fresh non glazed surface. This will decrease lining life but it will improve stopping power and help prevent the glaze that ultimately causes noise.
One last comment brakes and tires are not the places to try to save a penny when it comes to car maintenance.
