Yes, slightly better.
The thing that gets me though, is why are cartridge bearing hubs so much more expensive for what is in actual fact, an inferior performing hub? Its just a block of aluminium milled out.
I’ve been told, and have long believed it to be true, that cup and cone bearing hubs are more expensive to produce, which is why only shimano do it… as they have the whole set up on the go already. Is this an old wives tale?
In all seriousness, I do see the benefits of hammering out your old bearings and hammering in a couple of new ones, it takes about the same time as servicing a C&C hub. But for me, the unsuitability of Cartridge bearings, the cost of the hubs and bearings, and more importantly the smoothness and much more resistance free performance means I am a C&C man myself. I only service mine about once a year and it seems more than enough.
The SLX hubs are a good wee hub. They are well sealed and probably are the best for a cost/weight score.