Our taste in audio evolves in parallel with the sonic changes in music. In popular music, for one example, MJ and Madonna were highly influential with ushering in a kick-drum driven sound. Their (and so many others) success gave them a path to squeeze more out of the recording and mixing process for "that sound" that was unmistakably theirs. Suddenly, everyone wants "that sound" and begin to demand fullness and punch. Then, you need the gear to experience it. The constant back and forth between the creatives and the engineers is great for pushing the boundaries. There is still so much room to explore, sonically.