So why does well recorded music sound as good or better on the radio then the poor sounding ones "mixed for radio"
Radio audio processing basically magnifies audio, as it is compressed, EQ’d and limited. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression garbage in, garbage out. The same can be said for audio processing on radio. Feed the radio station audio processor some well recorded audio (I personally *do* think most Eagles music qualifies), and most times it will sound very good to excellent once played out over the air (OTA). Depending on your idea of what "better" sounds like (many music enthusiasts prefer re-mastered recordings to the original recordings), radio (audio processing) can make recordings sometimes sound better, and sometimes worse. Most 60’s and 70’s 45’s were definitely mixed for Top 40 AM radio, and jukebox playing.