Earlier quoted context omitted.
Any piano can produce the main frequency of the bass notes. Apart from length, the tension and density of the string play a role in the main frequency as well. The problem with shorter strings is rather simple. Shorter strings are stiffer than their longer equivalents. These strings produce sharp overtones, since there is less length of the string to vibrate on higher frequencies. Perfect overtones need perfect flexi…
Good to know, can't remember where I read that.
I've first read about it on a more mathematically and scientifically inclined tuners page. It also described the effect that slightly untuned strings on the same pitch create a semi-chaotic effect which allows us to hear the tone for a longer amount of time, while raising the perceived loudness (caused by a very strong initial decay and a long linear decay).
There is a good explanation on Piano Acoustics linked from the wikipedia page you posted [1]