Strangely, the final (and the whole show in general) used to have much more atmosphere for me in the show's "simpler days", before the the days of arena auditions, Sunday shows, 16 in the live shows and the final being held in another venue. Basically, the days that ended after 2008.
I still watch and enjoy, but I used to feel much more excitement towards the whole show. Sometimes, less is definitely more.