The KEF KC62 with the LS50 Meta plays deeper than the Reference 1. Not sure about sonics being in a different league. I have heard both and own the LS50 Meta and sub. My gear at home is likely better (for my ears) than the gear I heard with the Reference 1.
My assumption is that the Meta material is doing the same thing as the tube in the Yamaha NS5000 and the tubes in Vivid speakers.