Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
The choice isn't between getting lower gears or giving up the highs. You can have both.
The choice is between tighter spacing, but less range, or wider range and wider spacing.
To put it more succinctly: Higher high, Lower low, Tighter spacing over some or all of the range.
Pick any two.
Of course, with newer gearing, i.e. enough gears, you certainly can have all three.
It wasn't clear whether the OP was asking about the easiest modification to make or the best gearing for his performance.