There was also another band playing this party their equipment: (2) JBL JRX125; (2) Peavey SP218; A&H GL2400-24; (2) RMX2450 bridged to subs; (2) CS1400 bridged to tops stereo.
Both bands were setup next to each other so the environment was the same for comparison. My band plays mostly rock / southern rock mix. The other band was country / southern rock.
Now for comparison. Tops: The JBL's were louder than I expected and sounded good on axis...off axis the mids dropped out at about 25 degrees and the highs also dropped at about 35 degrees. They started sounding thin 40 ft back. They were being driven just to the point of distortion on peaks. Now the DR280's(all I personally heard out of them was recorded music because I'm the bass player, but, trusted ears in the audience made similar comments to mine) the first thing I noticed was the clarity, these speakers bring new meaning to the term crystal clear. Up close the speakers sounded very good on and off axis, but when you get about 20 ft back they really intigrate and sound even better. At 150 ft out they still sound very good although the low end is all but gone. I still had 6 db of headroom with the DR's and they were about the same volume as the JBL's.
Subs: I was very disappointed in the sp218's I think the BE must have done something wrong but he seemed to think they were fine. He did have them seperated @ about 20 ft apart ( I tried to get him to cluster them but he was concerned with looks.) You had to stand within 5 ft to get any chest thump (drums were triggered). 40 ft out subbass was gone. The BE said he had no headroom on the subs. The t-39's were more than I expected, v coulped and plated. Chest thump to spare. I mixed a little bass heavy up close, balanced at 30 ft, and still a respectable amount at 75 ft. 6db headroom. The T-39's walked all over the SP218's.
Overall the Peavey/JBL system sounded good within 30 ft on axis. It would be ok for playing indoors, but it just didn't have enough oomph to be used outdoors.
The T-39/ DR-280 is the best sounding small system i have ever heard. It works well for small to medium outdoor party's (up to 300 peeps)
Just a side note my PA system and bass rig (O12) all fit into my Grand Caravan with room to spare. The other band brought a tour bus.
Sorry no pics...the war dept forgot the camera...
I too did my first outdoor gig with my DR280/T48 rig last week. im waiting for the pix to come back before i write my review. 
