A few web retailers are promoting 9" as the ideal ergonomic depth. It could be that that's the only depth they carry :).
I'm 5'5" and I had a "D" shaped single bowl that was just under 8" deep. I thought it wasn't deep enough for the really large pots and pans and water always splattered everywhere, but the placement of the sink may have been equally to blame. My new sink will be a 9" deep apron front, but it's not yet installed so I cannot give you the feedback.

The sink maybe 10"/7" but don't forget that if you are undermounting the sink that you have to add in the depth of the counter top as well. So now your sink may actually be 11"/8" deep. I have the Franke RGX160 which is 9"/7" and I find that I wash the dishes in the shallower side and drain/dry them in the deeper side. I also have the Franke GNX11018 which is 8" deep or 9 1/4" when you add in the counter depth. I wouldn't want to go any deeper in the sinks and I'm 5'8".

It is quite personal to your height, arm length, back health, how long you spend doing dishes, etc.

I do think you are right to think about the drawbacks of deep sinks, but ''how deep is too deep'' for you, will be pretty hard for someone else answer. I'm 5' 11'' with 38'' counters and an iffy back, and a 8'' deep sink (flush-mounted) is as deep as I'd like. But that doesn't have much relevance for you at 5' 4''.

How about doing some experiments? Measure the height from floor to the bottom of your existing sink, suppose that is 26''. Figure out the same measurement for the counter height-sink depth-mounting type you are planning, suppose that is 24'' floor-to-sink-bottom height. Find a way to raise the standing surface by 2'' - a board set on a couple of phone books? - so that the effective floor-to-sink-bottom height for you will be 24''. Now do dishes for a week. If your back is perfectly fine, then your planned sink should be fine. The slightest twinge means think again.

That's how I'd do it. It's like if you were going to buy a dress, you'd try it on to see if it fits you, rather than ask if the dress would fit me . . .

Floor-top of top-mounted sink=36 1/2". Average sink depth=9 1/2". Franke synthetic granite double bowl sink. I'm 5'3". I'm okay with the dimensions.
One thing to consider is placement of wall drain (term?, where the sink drain enters the wall or household drainpipe.

I am 5'4" and just had the Blanco Super Supreme U 1 3/4 which is a 10" & 7" depth sink put in but not in working order yet. I think it is going to be too deep for my height but I did buy the sink grid (I think that is what it is called) so hopefully that will help a bit. I had really wanted the deeper sink but am thinking I am going to have a sore back seeing it actually in my kitchen now. I know that isn't much help-in about 2 weeks I could let you know for sure when we start using everything.

Everyone...

Thank you for your comments.

Byron...I am taking into account the added depth due to undermounting. That is why I specifically stated that in my original posting. Plus, I'm thinking about the added issue of how far back the sink is set.

Canishel, Sammie...I was hoping to hear from people that are basically my height.

I would love to hear some additional feedback after you have had a week or so of usage. I have not purchased my sink ... or even signed a contract yet...*lol* so I have a little bit of time.

I just want to get all of these types of issues nailed down before the first hammer drops.

Thanks again everyone!

Pepper

I am 5'2" (on a good day). My counters are 36 3/4 (a little high for me but I wear 1" shoes at least). I have the Blanco Siligrant Super sink under mounted so its a good 10 inches deep. I really like this deep sink. I can put so much in there. I use a dishwasher and only wash big items. I have considered putting the steel mesh in the bottom, but I really like it as it is. I have had it 4 months and use it every day. (It's the black one and is no problem to keep clean.)

why don't you go to some showrooms and see if any have a similar set up to what you are planning and then stand there and pretend to be washing and the like.
(Maybe just explain to the assistants what you are doing so they don't think you are totally round the bend )

I found going to showrooms helped me with things like which granite edge etc

I went to kitchen showrooms as well as bath & kitchen fittings places. These places had their sinks installed

HTH

Muspic...

The (easy) places where I've seen this sink has it displayed in very, not-user-friendly setups. Either too low, too high, shown at an angle, or underneath another sink. *for gosh sakes*

Other 'display' showrooms displayed sinks that didn't fit the bill (short of pulling out my ever-present tape measure - they looked too shallow).

But! I don't give up so easily. : D
~*~

Kennywood... thanks for the input! Just the type of info that I was looking for.

Pepper