If it's a professionally done recording and you're playing it from at least a 16/44 source (or some loseless equivalent) then something is wrong with your system and/or your setup if you're finding a significant percentage of new recordings are "unlistenable". A good system will show the flaws of commercially oriented recordings, but it shouldn't make them sound like crap.
EQ and tone controls can correct for tonal imbalances, but nothing can undo excessive compression.
EQ and tone controls can correct for tonal imbalances, but nothing can undo excessive compression.