I have a 50/34 and 11/28. I used to have a 53/39 and 12/25. My low end is obviously lower, but my 50/11 is actually higher than the 53/12. I'm not giving up the high end.

For me, I'm approaching age 50 and will never be a pro racer. Thus, switching to a compact and lower gearing is advantageous for me. Living in Colorado and liking to ride mountains, a wide cassette is also useful. I'm working on my fitness and still need to lose15 lbs, so my speed up hills will improve. Nevertheless, I'd rather spin and push big gears, so the lower gearing is helpful to me. It's hard to "man-up" to using a 28 (I'd still prefer a 27), but this feeling is off the bike, not while suffering up a long, steep hill.

The best idea to give a setup (cassette) a try. If you don't like it, sell the cassette on ebay.