decrease in the perceptual worth of the sound

[keannu]

*source : 12th graders' mockup test 2021.4
The ideal sound quality varies a lot in step with technological and cultural changes. Consider, for instance, the development of new digital audio formats such as MP3 and AAC. Various media feed us daily with data-compressed audio, and some people rarely experience CD-quality (that is, technical quality) audio. This tendency could lead to a new generation of listeners with other sound quality preferences. Research by Stanford University professor Jonathan Berger adds fuel to this thesis. Berger tested first-year university students’ preferences for MP3s annually for ten years. He reports that each year more and more students come to prefer MP3s to CD-quality audio. These findings indicate that listeners gradually become accustomed to data-compressed formats and change their listening preferences accordingly. The point is that while technical improvements strive toward increased sound quality in a technical sense (e.g., higher resolution and greater bit rate), listeners’ expectations do not necessarily follow the same path. As a result, “improved” technical digital sound quality may in some cases lead to a _________________.

① decrease in the perceptual worth of the sound
② failure to understand the original function of music
③ realization of more sophisticated musical inspiration
④ agreement on ideal sound quality across generations
⑤ revival of listeners’ preference for CD-quality audio
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The answer is 1, but I don't understand the bold part. Does it mean that listeners don't care about sound quality?

 

[teechar]

The point is that while technical improvements strive toward increased sound quality in a technical sense (e.g., higher resolution and greater bit rate), listeners’ expectations do not necessarily follow the same path. As a result, “improved” technical digital sound quality may in some cases lead to a _________________.

① decrease in the perceptual worth of the sound
② failure to understand the original function of music
③ realization of more sophisticated musical inspiration
④ agreement on ideal sound quality across generations
⑤ revival of listeners’ preference for CD-quality audio
==========================
The answer is 1, but I don't understand the bold part.

The "perceptual worth of something" is another way of referring to its quality. The other answers are clearly wrong: "2" and "3" are not about quality; "4" says the opposite to that statement; "5" is not given.

Does it mean that listeners don't care about sound quality?

Roughly. That snippet suggests that listeners nowadays are comfortable with the quality of compressed audio and do not care much for sound that is of higher quality.