If you check the Mathews forum, there used to be a lot of complaints about their string suppressors wearing out too quickly in the minds of the purchaser. That was some time ago (when I was shooting an XT), so Mathews may have changed the composition of the rubber or made a fix in some other manner; I'm not sure.

As far as the twang on your XT, I thought mine had an excessive twang as well. In a heads-up test against my Tribute, it was clearly louder. Only after I installed string leeches did I bring it back within range of the Trib. I was slightly disappointed in that I thought that was the purpose of the suppressors.

Congratulations on the purchase of your new bow, though... It is an excellent piece of equipment, and I hope you enjoy it for a long time!