Multiple tests show that when Poweramp plays some file, total cpu utilization will be the same or lower comparing to total cpu utilization, when standard Android player plays the same file.
This includes Poweramp 12 band DSP enabled (both equalizer and tone controls).
All the work done by Poweramp happens in the single Poweramp process, while standard player and players, which use standard system codecs, play sound in that system codec process (MediaServer), not in player process itself.
Poweramp v3: Poweramp stays CPU and battery optimized for background playback.
All the work done by Poweramp happens in the single Poweramp process, while standard player and players, which use standard system codecs, play sound in that system codec process (MediaServer), not in player process itself.
Poweramp v3: Poweramp stays CPU and battery optimized for background playback.
When Poweramp is on foreground, Poweramp visualizations, while active, have higher battery consumption comparable to e.g. video playback.