Davey, I enjoyed the Q1s when I heard them. They are extremely resolving and low in distortion. I have not directly compared them in the same system, so I can't say if I prefer one to the other. They did replace the Mini II and AW and JV certainly stated that the Q1 is much better. I spoke to an employee at a dealer who has directly compared them, and he preferred the low frequencies of the Mini II and told me that he does not think the Q1 is clearly superior. He bought the Mini II as it was being discontinued. I would someday like to compare them.
I much prefer the looks of the Mini II. I also think the Q1 was less expensive to manufacture and that may be another reason Magico replaced the Mini II. I don't see many used samples of either up for sale. I don't know how many Q1s they sold. Perhaps people think they get more speaker with the S3.
One reason that I never upgraded to the Q1 is because a new Q1 was $25K while I could only get about $10K for my used Mini II. I put that $15K towards other changes in my system which I thought would bring me greater improvements in sound quality. I never saw a used Q1 for sale. It would be interesting to see the value compared to the value of a used Mini II. Probably not that different, but I really don't know.
Peter, right now on A'gon there is a pair of Q1's for $16K. I have to agree with you, many times a replacement is brought about due solely to the fact that it is cheaper for the manufacturer to build. Such was the case with the Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage replacements...the Memento's, the Evolutions and now the new Traditions. All of which are clearly less expensive to construct than the high cost of the original.
However, how many times has a company in high end audio ( or for that matter anywhere ) brought out a new product and were absolutely honest about it...thereby stating that it is inferior to the product that it replaces!!!
Yet, and particularly in our hobby, I believe this happens frequently...
I would be very interested to hear a side by side comparison of your excellent Mini 2's and the newer Q1's. Although, I must say, I do think the Q3's were an amazing speaker and easily bested the older V3's.