Even after reading the reviews regarding the difficult assembly on this item, we purchased it anyway. The entertainment center itself is very nice, though much darker in person. Assembly, true to many reviews, was challenging. It does require a powered screwdriver or drill. Unfortunately, most of these will not fit in the cabinet areas so the hinges were very hard to attach without stripping the screw heads. With some ingenuity we were able to complete it. Perhaps the instructions should have had the doors assemble at the same time you are putting together the bottom half of the cabinet instead of at the end.

Other than that, the rest of the assembly wasn't too bad. If you have patience for this kind of thing then it is worth the lower cost for a center with a hutch.