As an example, THD for LM3886, 8 ohm load, 1kHz:
0.03% at 10 mW
0.01% at 0.1 W
0.006% at 1 W
0.003% at 10 W

Does this mean that if I put an L-pad at the output of the amp to reduce signal to speaker by say 20dB, I can force the chip to operate at a higher wattage and therefore, lower distortion?

gar.