"anyone ever notice that FM radio tends to sound better than a CD, even though it isn't near the same quality? whats with that?"
Two things going on ..... one is that it depends upon your playback system and what you're use to listening to. Think of your playback system as a filter, which if presented with the best recording possible would degrade the sound, at least compared to live music or even another very good system.
Two is that most people like bass and treble boost, and don't know that even good stereo has a 'soundstage' with easily identified instrument/player locations in height, width and depth. With good recording and playback systems you get an illusion of someone playing in front of you because the cues are realistic. But since most recordings sound like sonic dung, they aren't even attempting to deliver a soundstage, most people find that a euphonic enhancement sounds better on most music.
The radio station and/or your radio probably has some bass and treble boost, so it sounds better than a 'thin sounding' CD.
