There has been a really large difference in woofer technology over the last forty or fifty years. Once the standard 12" woofer was used in substantial speakers. The bass was large, fat and sloppy. It would depend on the speakers. Some were very inefficient and were not as fat and slow, but still so in comparison to today’s.
What has changed is the throw and speed. So, large, slow woofers have been replaced with smaller, fast, longer throw. They are far more articulate and directional... meaning the images of the instruments in the lower registers are more focused and nuanced. This is a huge improvement in realism. My Sonus Faber have two 8.7" woofers. They do not sound fat... like bigger speakers of the past, but they are incredibly fast, and accurate. The soundstage goes deep into the wall and on both sides of the speakers.
Today's muscle speakers like the B&W 801 D4 use 10" woofers and develop amazing bass sound pressure levels, but are still very articulate.
Some folks may like the old sound of the old big woofers.