I'd disagree with recommending combination spanners to anyone. For Saturday morning amateur mechanics only.
Don't disagree with you about avoiding some of the unbranded low-end combinations Rex, but have to say that decent ones, Gedore and Elora brands spring immediately to mind, are among the best spanners I've got.
They have served daily - not just Saturday mornings! - for several decades. I would really hate to be without them, even though I have loads of open-enders and rings, sockets in various drive sizes etc, that do the job too.
I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with combination ones, and in more than a few cases the shallower crank on the ring end is a help, compared to a more fully- cranked ring. But, as ever, it's whatever we're comfortable with, as long as the quality's adequate.