I use a MIDI for controller (Logidy UMI-3) going into Bome MIDI Translator, where I’m able to use my controller buttons as keyboard up and down keys. This way I can scroll as I play, so I’m not only hearing the frequency response of the cab, but I can feel how it interacts with what I’m playing at the moment. I find that invaluable.
I also set the Speaker Impedance Curve to match the group of IRs most closely to start, as well as Speaker Thump. Then I can still alter the curve from there once I land on a good IR.
Next, I don’t like room sound in IRs, and I don’t like phasiness, so, for a group of IRs that are from the same creator, I’ll shorten the length if I hear room sound that bothers me, and I turn up Smoothing until there’s no phasiness. It’s a very personal thing, so probably a lot of people would think what I do is bullshit, but it’s what works for me. You’ll find your own way.
Finally, if you’re having trouble, I think running your Axe into a guitar plugin with movable mics is the most helpful. Amplitube, Wall of Sound, TH-U, the MIKKO plugin, and others have this ability, and that can be a quick and easy way to land on a good spot for you and even blend mics. Then you can capture an IR from any of those and import to the Axe.