Not to dig this up from the trenches, but I just noticed this problem on my laptop. I have very high quality headphones and earphones, so the suggestion earlier to buy "high impedance" headphones is laughable. I didn't notice it much with my E2c, but I just got SE530s and it is extremely noticeable with them.
I found a work around though, Shure includes a volume control for their higher end earphones that artificially increases the impedance. I have used one for using the E2Cs on airlines for a long time, if you want horrible hiss/buzz thats the place to go deaf from it.
"Some playback devices, such as airplane headphone outputs, may be too loud for comfortable listening even at the lowest volume setting. For this reason, Shure offers this level attenuator to reduce the level of incoming signals and allow for precise volume adjustment, minimizing background hiss. Works with all Shure Earphones. Included with E4, E5, and E500 Versions." model EA650 (or PA235)
It will work with any headphone. It sucks that its something we have to work around, but The MBP isn't the first laptop to have the issue. I had a Dell that made the sound anytime it was on, headphone jack or the onboard speakers. I actually took and cut the end off a mini-jack and stuck it in the jack so that it would disconnect the speakers...neither were usable anyway.
Now, don't get me started in my broken express card slot...