That's the problem with this issue: It is very subjective.
I remember reading one review of the Tonerite where the person playing actually used some equipment to measure frequencies coming from the guitar and it only showed slight changes which he admitted to be within a margin of error or environment changes. But, even with that he swore it sounded different...
I would say that one summer or one year of even solid playing isn't enough to do it justice.
Here's the thing, it is an inarguable fact that wood moves. There are pieces of furniture from the 1700s that show this to be true. From that same era, there are pieces of furniture that demonstrate how a talented woodworker can plan for this and give the piece a chance to "age" well. (Take a wood end table and leave it next to a water heater for a while if you want to see how much it can move.) With wood instruments, it is the same.
A good luthier chooses wood based on several characteristics of the wood. One of those is how he/she believes it will move over time. Steps are taken during the building process to ensure that when it moves, the movement does not damage the structure of the instrument (bracing isn't just for tone). Also, it is typical for woodworkers/luthiers to build in slightly more humid environments than standard atmosphere. So, from day one the instrument is changing shape ever so slightly. Over time, the deepest parts of the instrument's materials will start to dry out to acclimate to their surroundings. Depending on the wood, this can take years.
Laminates are no different in that they do move over time. The only difference is that it should take longer since the drying has to happen through many layers of wood and glue and it most cases many different species of wood. The good thing about a laminate in this process is that unlike a solid wood, the laminate is much, much more predictable on where and how it will move. It was said that laminates are generally built with crisscrossing grains. This is true, but that is done to maximize symmetrical movements in the wood and to prevent unwanted cracks, splits, and bows. The wood still moves.
Does all this movement and drying make an instrument sound better? Again, subjective. Personally, I want to believe that an older, "played-in" instrument will sound better than a brand new one will. I want to believe that, so it is what I believe. I don't necessarily believe it has to do only with humidity and wood movement, though...
~DB