Didn't read the paywalled article. But imo if it's not worth listening at 1x speed, it's not worth listening at all.

If it's entertainment like audiobooks, it's for my enjoyment, so why should it be faster than 1x? If it's for education, everything faster than 1x makes it hard to understand, and if there is too much filler content, I will find another source to learn about it.

I use 1.5x-2x for stuff I have to listen too, but don't enjoy.