[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1360677449' post='1974400']
My theory is that the engineers are mixing with hi end monitors that can handle very low frequencies easily. But most hi fi speakers, that the track will be listened to at home, can't reproduce those lows. There was a time when studios had a speakers set up to replicate the 'home hi fi experience' and if the track didn't sound good on those it was remixed until it did.
[/quote]
It's essential to use monitors that handle very low frequencies, just so you know what's there. Mixing on limited low-end speakers you're actually more likely to get swampy bass when you play back on a real-world system. An experienced engineer will know what his hi-end monitors sound like, and will know which sounds translate well to ordinary speakers. Having mid-range speakers as a reference is still worthwhile, though, I'm surprised you think this is a thing of the past.
Bigredx and 5imon will be here any second now...
(edited for appalling grammar)