A lot of original recordings were optimized for playback on low quality equipment (FM radios/car radios, walkman, etc.). The way you make music sound good on equipment like that with a poor dynamic range is compression. Wall of sound was basically a thing in the eighties that record companies discovered that made bland music sound better.

Remastering for better equipment from the original recordings tends to be nicer if you have good headphones. Of course it depends on the originals and the intention of the remaster. But typically those are aimed at fans wanting to get the best possible version of a recording.